Wednesday Slot in The SMH/Age (D&LS)

Hi All,

Last year my wife and I made our debut in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age with the publication of a cryptic and quick on the puzzles page in the NS slot.

We now have a permanent slot on a Wednesday replacing DP, who had faithfully contributed every week since 1992. We have a different style but will endeavour to keep DP fans happy and establish our own place at the same time.

Our designation is “D&LS”.

David & Linda Stickley

Posted in AFR Cryptic, The Stickler | 3 Comments

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 3/10/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (26/9/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


















The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters, then the entire result is reversed. The type of container clue involved is determined by an appropriate containment indicator.
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AFR Cryptic (26/9/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SEETHING
Observe matter in a highly agitated state (8) SEE +THING
5 HOBART
Watering hole located in stormy centre of Australia (6) BAR inside HOT
9 ADDER
Summer competition table without a definite leader (5) (l)ADDER
10 HAPPENING
Layer shielding software in grand event (9) HEN outside APP + IN + G
12 CHANDELIER
Cleaner hid broken light fitting (10) Anagram of CLEANER HID
13 BEST
Defeat brutal person with no heart (4) BE(a)ST
15 SCOTTISH
Antiquated tax aggravated this group of people in the UK (8) SCOT + anagram of THIS
16 BOSTON
American city street involved in blessing (6) ST inside BOON
18 FURORE
Stir caused by fur (or ermine) in short supply (6) FUR (OR Ermine)
19 HISTORIC
Famous tenor in choir is out of tune (8) T inside anagram of CHOIR IS
22 ALTO
High elements of dial tone (4) diAL TOne
23 COSTA RICAN
Assortment of narcotics divided up by a person from Central America (5,5) Anagram of NARCOTICS outside A
25 TRAVELLER
Teller, accepting enthusiastic praise, cut off mobile salesperson (9) TELLER outside (RAV)e
26 GENOA
One may be pulled back in middle of navigation? (5) ONE reversed inside navi(GA)tion
27 RATTLE
Irritating sound Telstra corrected with seconds to go (6) Anagram of TELSTRA minus S
28 BASTILLE
Live outside a peaceful prison in France (8) BE outside (A + STILL)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STANCES
Cessna manoeuvred around airport’s terminal positions (7) Anagram of CESSNA outside airpor(T)
2 ENDEAVOUR STRAIT
Northern channel broadcast an overused feature (9,6) Anagram of AN OVERUSED + TRAIT
3 HEREDITARY
Family time recorded in present journal (10) T inside (HERE + DIARY)
4 NIHILIST
Revolutionary turned in hard one on schedule (8) IN reversed + H + I + LIST
6 OXER
Dog without lead jumped fence (4) (b)OXER
7 ALIMENTARY CANAL
Internal passage a claimant nearly ruptured (10,5) Anagram of A CLAIMANT NEARLY
8 TIGHTEN
Give an extra turn to strong character in speech (7) Sounds like TITAN
11 PEED
Visited the ladies, say, with strong backing (4) DEEP reversed
14 FORTHRIGHT
Direct towards Human Resources in firm (10) FOR + (HR inside TIGHT)
17 WISTERIA
Water is sprayed around one climbing plant (8) Anagram of WATER IS outside I
18 FLATTER
Fine coffee maker’s back to dispense sugar (7) F + LATTE + make(R)
20 CONCAVE
Crumpled can found buried in cove curved inwards (7) Anagram of CAN inside COVE
21 FOIL
Thin sheet-metal baffle (4) Double Definition
24 FELL
Level went down (4) Double Definition

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 26/9/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (19/9/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.














The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A word or series of words that signify the loss of one letter at the start or end of a word or string of letters.

Examples: beheaded, cut short, endless, nearly, largely etc.

A type of clue where the WHOLE clue defines the answer, and the WHOLE clue also is the wordplay (a mechanism to derive the answer through various cryptic devices). "&lit" is short for "and literally".

To qualify as an &lit, a clue must have no unused components either in the definition or the wordplay - it must be readable one way as a definition, and another as the wordplay.

A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
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AFR Cryptic (19/9/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BICYCLED
Took part in a road race organised by ICC and showed the way (8) Anagram of BY ICC + LED
5 SPACES
Special, highly skilled people, cleared areas (6) SP + ACES
10 SPADE
Dig one in a suit (5) Double Definition
11 CORPORATE
A port rebuilt in centre should be shared (9) Anagram of A PORT inside CORE
12 CAME TO LIGHT
A comet, terribly faint, appeared (4,2,5) Anagram of A COMET + LIGHT
13 LID
Credentials printed on the back of large cover (3) ID after L
14 ROLLER COASTER
Local restorer restored playground equipment? (6,7) Anagram of LOCAL RESTORER
18 DELICATESSENS
Had food, two courses, in a variety of licensed food shops (13) (ATE + S+S) inside anagram of LICENSED
22 APT
Proper laptop with peripheral cut off (3) LAPTOP minus LOP
23 SIR LANCELOT
Knight’s sword originally taken from ruined Roslin Castle (3,8) Anagram of ROSLIN CASTLE minus (S)word
26 CORTISONE
Anti-inflammatory agent is not mistakenly injected into heart (9) Anagram of IS NOT inside CORE
27 ARETE
Expanse of bare terrain containing a sharp ridge (5) bARE TErrain
28 DINGHY
Slightly damage handy kind of boat? (6) DING + H and Y
29 ASBESTOS
Fireproof material, for instance, most desirable overseas (8) AS + BEST + OS
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BASICS
Form of tax is incorporating cold hard facts (6) (BAS + IS) outside C
2 CRAMMER
Hard-working student caught with heavy hitter (7) C + RAMMER
3 CHEST
Form of ethics not supporting one case (5) Anagram of ETHICS minus I
4 EXCELLENT
Former fashion magazine, named at the outset in court, is remarkably good (9) EX + [ELLE + (N)amed] inside CT
6 PROSTRATE
Flat rate underpinning expert’s time (9) RATE after (PROS + T)
7 CHAPLET
A prayerful person might use this piano in mountain lodge (7) P inside CHALET
8 SPENDERS
Writer, wearing dress, teased people who like to splash out (8) PEN inside anagram of DRESS
9 BRIG
Prison on the banks of river is extensive (4) BIG outside R
15 LOCKSMITH
Football player’s story recounted for security expert (9) LOCK + sounds like MYTH
16 CASTANETS
Stage performers sent a redesigned percussion instrument (9) CAST + anagram of SENT A
17 ADVANCED
Progressive dance plugged by five in commercial (8) (V inside DANCE) inside AD
19 LATER ON
One not supported by misguided relation in time (5,2) Anagram of RELATION minus I
20 SALIENT
Prominent foreigner captured in stone (7) ALIEN inside ST
21 ATHENS
Birds staying behind at Greek spot (6) HENS after AT
24 RIOT
One involved in corruption and wild behaviour (4) I inside ROT
25 CRANE
Lifter competed in brace with no support (5) RAN inside (BRACE minus BRA)

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 19/9/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (12/9/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.





















The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The entire answer can be discovered by mixing up letters. An appropriate anagram indicator will be present.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

A question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A word or series of words that signify the position of wordplay elements in the answer.

Examples: before, after, leading, in the middle of, under (down only) etc.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

A word or series of words that signify that the sound rather than the spelling of a word or words is required.

Examples: orally, in voice, heard, listened to etc.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
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AFR Cryptic (12/9/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BILLBOARD
Hoarding sick swine in vacated backyard? (9) (ILL + BOAR) inside B(ackyar)D
6 HISS
Disapproving expression is identified in high school (4) IS inside HS
10 ARGON
Gas line extracted from assorted pieces of angle iron (5) Anagram of ANGLE IRON minus LINE
11 MISSHAPEN
Ugly young lady has not finished with writer (9) MISS + HA(s) + PEN
12 SHILLING
Capital of Switzerland building up old capital (8) (S)witzerland + HILLING
13 DECOCT
Two months to extract essence by boiling! (6) DEC(ember) + OCT(ober)
15 DEPOTS
Quickly went around to retired storekeepers (6) (SPED outside TO) reversed
16 OPPOSER
One who speaks out against problem after surgical procedure (7) POSER after OP
18 TAN
Summer shade tree’s first and not last (3) (T)ree + AN(d)
19 OFFENCE
Crime concerning unlawful reseller (7) OF + FENCE
21 THIRTY
A number in need of water not sustenance primarily (6) THIRSTY minus (S)ustenance
24 LINERS
Ships – they still hold records (6) Double Definition
25 SUITABLE
One wearing a bustle arranged fitting (8) I inside anagram of A BUSTLE
27 CARPE DIEM
Enjoy the present sink used in reconditioned camper (5,4) DIE inside anagram of CAMPER
28 USUAL
Organisation of Aussie Rules not supporting series as expected (5) Anagram of AUSSIE RULES minus SERIES
29 PILE
Large number supporting column (4) Double Definition
30 EXPANSION
Unknown amount, included in a pension, affected inflation (9) X inside anagram of A PENSION
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BRAISE
Sprig of basil to enhance stew? (6) (B)asil + RAISE
2 LOG FIRE
One interrupting wayward golfer should be warmer (3,4) I inside anagram of GOLFER
3 BUNDLE OF NERVES
Very timid, anxious person – bread vendor – feels disturbed (6,2,6) BUN + anagram of VENDOR FEELS
4 ADMINISTER
Handle small cars in trade with fluctuation (10) MINIS inside anagram of TRADE
5 DISH
Scandinavian, not an attractive one (4) DANISH minus AN
7 IMPIOUS
Wicked state representative, say, one flanked by markers (7) (MP + I) inside IOUS
8 SENATORS
Seniors ignoring one grabbing at house sitters? (8) (SENIORS minus I) outside AT
9 THREE-POINT TURN
Replaced iron then putter with plan to change course (5-5,4) Anagram of IRON THEN PUTTER
14 CONTOUR MAP
Orienteering guide doing the rounds in camp on the rocky side (7,3) (ON TOUR) inside anagram of CAMP
17 WORLD CUP
Head of Liverpool in crowd excited by finished international competition (5,3) (L)iverpool inside anagram of CROWD + UP
20 FUNERAL
Skylarking spoilt real serious ceremony held to say goodbye (7) FUN + anagram of REAL
22 TABOULI
Salad mix is tossed about and left by one (7) Anagram of ABOUT + L + I
23 TEFLON
Nothing sticks to this crooked felon after time is served (6) Anagram of FELON after T
26 PIKE
One who pulls out mostly fish (4) (PIKE)r

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 12/9/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (5/9/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.














The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters, then the entire result is reversed. The type of container clue involved is determined by an appropriate containment indicator.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
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AFR Cryptic (5/9/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 FAST BOWLER
One who’s quick to stay away from food left in a shady enclosure (4,6) FAST + (L inside BOWER)
6 ACTS
Cancel announced routines (4) Sounds like AXE
10 SMILE ON
Show favour to son travelling across a great distance (5,2) SON outside MILE
11 TWIRLER
Drunken writer found in possession of large revolver (7) Anagram of WRITER outside L
12 FIRESTORM
Breather operated initially in strong blaze (9) [REST + (O)perated] insoide FIRM
13 CLEAN
Pure energy harnessed by family group (5) E inside CLAN
14 REPORT
Work for a newspaper on computer interface (6) RE + PORT
16 STRINGY
Tough band gathered in part of farm (7) RING inside STY
17 LIE
Outsider not bound by an untruthful statement (3) a)LIE(n
19 DINGBAT
Eccentric bandit scattered around 1000 dollars (7) Anagram of BANDIT outside G
20 ABSEIL
Base organised unharnessed, wild vertical descent? (6) Anagram of BASE + w)IL(d
23 HIT ON
Unexpectedly discover it in sweetheart’s possession (3,2) IT inside HON
24 DINNER SET
Resident excited about last part of dawn service (6,3) Anagram of RESIDENT outside daw(N)
26 TEARFUL
Tense and lengthy rebuke is harrowing (7) T + EARFUL
27 IRKSOME
One reformed smoker is disagreeable (7) I + anagram of SMOKER
28 PALM
Friend married one giving up dates (4) PAL + M
29 APPEARANCE
Soft legume worked planted in great aspect (10) (P + PEA + RAN) inside ACE
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 FISH-FARM
Fine accepted by firm has rocked primary producer (4-4) F inside anagram of FIRM HAS
2 SKIER
Lodge resident very quietly slipped away from one in charge (5) SKIPPER minus PP
3 BEEF STROGANOFF
Forget beans cooked with bad meat dish (4,10) Anagram of FORGET BEANS + OFF
4 WANTON
Pale colour mostly pointless (6) ‘WAN + (TON)e
5 ESTIMATE
Get the measure of one male occupying property (8) (I + M) inside ESTATE
7 COLLEAGUE
Workmate is separated from collies with fever (9) COLL(i)E(s) + AGUE
8 SHRINE
End to prayer in Polish place of worship (6) praye(R) inside SHINE
9 CIRCUIT BREAKER
Confused brickie cut rear switch (7,7) Anagram of BRICKIE CUT REAR
15 PAINTBALL
Missile used in war games ain’t coated in lead completely (9) (AINT inside PB) + ALL
16 SIT
Model is running over time (3) IS reversed + T
17 LANDSLIP
Groundbreaking action plans I’d modified after laughing initially (8) Anagram of PLANS ID outside (L)aughing
18 ALL THERE
Learners entering at this place must be alert (3,5) (LL inside AT) + HERE
21 CHAT UP
Flirt with bowler, say, taking part in sporting contest (4,2) HAT inside CUP
22 IN LINE
Slope down front side of castle is straight (2,4) INCLINE minus (C)astle
25 SCORN
Look down on small growth of skin (5) S + CORN

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 5/9/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (29/8/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


















The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
A word or series of words that signify the loss of one letter at the start or end of a word or string of letters.

Examples: beheaded, cut short, endless, nearly, largely etc.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
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AFR Cryptic (29/8/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CHOP-CHOP
Two pieces of meat sliced quickly? (4-4) CHOP + CHOP
5 ELATED
Happy worker in news restricting overtime (6) ED outside LATE
10 DISCONTINUATION
Break dance group making a comeback in the country (15) DISCO + (UNIT reversed inside NATION)
11 ROUNDABOUT
Our band, in a new setting, finished with “Carousel” (10) Anagram of OUR BAND + OUT
12 SUIT
Administrative official reduced size of hotel accommodation (4) SUIT(e)
14 AREAS
Fields are grassy in the centre (5) ARE + gr(AS)sy
15 RING A BELL
Jewellery and label oddly seem familiar (4,1,4) RING + anagram of LABEL
17 KILLER BEE
Aggressive worker and rebel like being manipulated (6,3) Anagram of REBEL LIKE
21 TEMPO
Rate parts of system, possibly (5) sysTEM POssibly
23 EDGY
Irritable and terribly fidgety once fit has passed (4) Anagram of FIDGETY minus FIT
24 COMPARISON
Capital available after company managed primarily with distinction (10) (PARIS + ON) after [CO + (M)anaged]
27 EXPERIMENTATION
Cross taken up by mean petitioner affected research (15) X inside anagram of MEAN PETITIONER
28 PANAMA
Criticise a graduate’s hat (6) PAN + A + MA
29 READINGS
Values shown on gauges are altered by damage caused by accidents (8) Anagram of ARE + DINGS
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CODER
Software engineer writing in C, right? (5) ODE inside (C + R)
2 OBSCURE
“B” scored in course confused minor (7) B inside anagram of COURSE
3 CROP DUSTER
Produce sprinkler from assorted pre-cut rods (4,6) Anagram of PRE-CUT RODS
4 OCTOBER
Alliance in bloc to be reviewed in one month (7) blOC TO BE Reviewed
6 LOAN
Head of organisation in computer linkup borrowed money (4) (O)rganisation inside LAN
7 TRIBUTE
Tribe not quite given native American recognition (7) TRIB(e) + UTE
8 DONATELLO
Italian sculptor is on a report tabled in function (9) (ON + A + TELL) inside DO
9 IN TURN
One after another mended tin boiler (2,4) Anagram of TIN + URN
13 MASTERCARD
Crates remade right in extremely good plastic (10) (Anagram of CRATES + R) inside MAD
14 ANKLE-DEEP
Shallow one went first into store (5-4) AN + (LED inside KEEP)
16 ICE
Cool down components of graphic equaliser (3) graphIC Equaliser
18 LEG-SPIN
Pakistan’s opener, buoyed by single, smashed bowling (3-4) (P)akistan inside anagram of SINGLE
19 BROOME
Accommodation reserved in last place visited by tourists in WA (6) ROOM inside BE
20 EXPANSE
Former partner looks around last piece of office space (7) EX + PANS + offic(E)
22 MISSION
Fail to see one on task-force (7) MISS + I + ON
25 NO-NOS
Child playing back unacceptable things (2-3) (SON + ON) reversed
26 PRIM
Puritanical chief finished early (4) (PRIM)e

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