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Guardian Cryptic 28272 Vlad

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Thanks to Vlad for this puzzle, which contains some topical references. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Plant rejected a kind of strike after one fellow sacked (7) FUCHSIA : Reversal … Read more >>

Financial Times 16612 Hamilton

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Thank you to Hamilton. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7, 8. How can spitting feathers make one miserable? (4,2,3,5) DOWN IN THE MOUTH : Cryptic defn: Reference to literally having feathers/down … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28265 Pasquale

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Thanks to Pasquale.  Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Dog eating two thousand caterpillars? Only one! (7) CUTWORM : CUR(an aggressive dog, especially a mongrel) containing(eating) TWO + M(Roman numeral for … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1596 Hoskins

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Thanks Hoskins for an enjoyable one.  Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7. Rubbish people working away at Oxford? (8) COBBLERS : Double defn: 1st: … in slang; and 2nd: Cryptically, those … Read more >>

Financial Times 16588 Sleuth

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Thank you to Sleuth. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Shift without cover in cold spell lately in club (6) CUDGEL : “budge”(to shift/to move a little) minus its 1st letter(without … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28242 Paul

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Thanks to Paul for the challenge. I was getting nowhere until 18 across was cracked. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Scientific solver admits he is perplexed by abbreviation of name … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28235 Vlad

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Thanks Vlad for the challenge. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Could some of the clues refer to the 2down “fiasco”. Across 1. Sneakily managing to get rid of women’s sport (7) ANGLING … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1592 Hoskins

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Thank you to Hoskins.  Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 6. Take Scottish leader’s temperature for doc (7) SURGEON : “T”(symbol for “temperature” in physics) deleted from(Take) “Sturgeon”(Nicola, First Minister of Scotland). … Read more >>

Financial Times 16564 Flimsy

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Thank you to Flimsy. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Designs small boats (8) SKETCHES : S(abbrev. for “small”) + KETCHES(sailing boats). 5. Presents chests, topless (6) OFFERS : “coffers”(chests/strongboxes) minus … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 1083 Beale

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Thanks Beale for an enjoyable Quiptic, made easier with the many anagrams. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Nothing fits with information detectives last gave on killing (8) GENOCIDE : O(letter … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28205 Nutmeg

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Thanks to Nutmeg for an enjoyable puzzle; some nice wordplay indicators. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8. Leading lady’s retreat just after party goes west (8) BALMORAL : MORAL(just/proper) placed after(after) … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1588 Hoskins

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Thanks to Hoskins for an enjoyable solve. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Music producer Parisian thugs attacked (7,6) SPANISH GUITAR : Anagram of(… attacked) PARISIAN THUGS. 8 Primate touring southern … Read more >>