Guardian Quiptic 1187 Pasquale

Thank you to Pasquale. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 5. Compostable items left in rubbish? (6) PLANTS : L(abbrev. for “left”) contained in(in) PANTS(informal term for rubbish/nonsense). 6. The French blunder? … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28833 Anto

Thank you to Anto. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Exercise you must do to get higher with lift (5,2) PRESS UP : Cryptic defn: You must press the “UP” button … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1692 Shabbo

Thank you to Shabbo.  Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. A few good-looking bananas dropped off (4) SOME : “handsome”(good-looking/physically attractive) minus(… dropped off) “hand”(a bundle or cluster of bananas). 3. … Read more >>

Financial Times 17156 Guy

Thank you to Guy. Some nice surfaces here. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Submarine that’s German and Irish and American (8) UNDERSEA : UND(German for “and”) + ERSE(the Irish Gaelic … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 1183 Hectence

Thank you to Hectence. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Constant criticism curtailed at parting (6) STATIC : “stick”(severe criticism/condemnation) minus its last letter(curtailed) containing(… parting) AT. Defn: …/without change. 5. … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28810 Crucible

Thank you to Crucible. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Excessive exploitation very nearly blocks river (7) OVERUSE : “very” minus its last letter(nearly) contained in(blocks) OUSE(river in Yorkshire, England). 5. … Read more >>

Financial Times 17132 Moo

Thank you to Moo Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Secure nice position with multinational (6) NESTLE : Double defn: 1st: Settle against something comfortable; and 2nd: A … food and … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28780 Brendan

Thank you to Brendan. Definitions are underlined in the clues. In the completed grid, positions along the perimeter are denoted by the appropriate compass points’ abbreviations. Thus, clockwise from the north-west corner, we … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1684 Tees

Thank you to Tees. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Mary Jane left to spruce up clothes (6) SPLIFF : L(abbrev. for “left”) contained in(… clothes) SPIFF(to spruce up/make stylish and … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28773 Paul

Thank you to Paul. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8. Country India commended? (8) DOMINICA : Anagram of(-mended /repaired) INDIA COM-. Defn: …, officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, an island in … Read more >>

Financial Times 17108 Mudd

Thank you to Mudd. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Retiring nurses fighting authority, provider of shoddy work (6) COWBOY : COY(retiring/shy or pretending to be shy) containing(nurses) WBO(abbrev. for the … Read more >>