Times Cryptic #29288

2025-07-22

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Across

1a

Repeatedly attack crowd backing poet (7)

flowerflowerflower
5a

I'd say competently performs work one has to face (4,3)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

Aural wordplay [I’d say]: “knows job” (competently performs)

9a

Duck giving answer in combination (9)

flowerflowerflower
10a

At length, I land (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

Two not entirely unrelated definitions, the first with reference to ‘I’ = India in the NATO phonetic alphabet

11a

Narrow lane heading off from depressed region (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

{v}ALLEY (depressed region) [heading off]

12a

Very quick drink after interval (9)

flowerflowerflower
13a

Two characteristics of attractive model in easy circumstances (7,6)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Without help in court here, endure being cast outside (13)

flowerflowerflower
21a

Outlaw stealing quartz of large church (9)

flowerflowerflower
24a

Revolutionary stabbed in centre of Bath, hurt beforehand (5)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Leg over? Everything under, doing this (5)

flowerflowerflower
26a

A couple of promises one can't politely come out with (9)

flowerflowerflower
27a

With change of heart, English become twisted (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

W (with), anagram [change] of HEART, then E (English)

28a

Behind time, duke's deputy is cross (7)

Generating...

Down

1d

Feel unhappy about pulse, getting doctor in (6)

flowerflowerflower
2d

Critic of behaviour is rupturing self-confidence, right? (9)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

IS contained by [rupturing] MORALE (self-confidence),then R (right)

3d

Vocally register supporting Anna Freud, for one (7)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Trouble, having soiled big pants (9)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Dinner, vegetarian, including bottle (5)

flowerflowerflower
6d

Obnoxious individual finally breaks fiddle (7)

flowerflowerflower
7d

Obscure man receiving good justice (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

JUDE (obscure man) containing [receiving] G (good). A judge or magistrate as in Justice of the Peace. Jude the Obscure is a novel by Thomas Hardy.

8d

Servant stabs live mouse (5,3)

flowerflowerflower
14d

Career politician leads area that won't be developed (5,4)

flowerflowerflower
15d

Churning out orders for royal badge (5,4)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Ruffle cat's coat, bare at the sides and coarse (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

FUR (cat’s coat), B{ar}E [at the sides], LOW (coarse). Not just restricted to ruffles I think, so this is by example.

18d

Prepare to pass magazine insert (4,3)

flowerflowerflower
19d

Primate cheers cardinal suppressing resistance (7)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:

TA (cheers), MAIN (cardinal) containing [suppressing] R (resistance). We seem to be getting through a lot of primates at the moment, but at least I recognised this one when reminded by wordplay.

20d

Here perhaps film the sort of poker I love (6)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Millions living in a certain area of France (5)

flowerflowerflower
23d

Threw away European social position (5)

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