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 20/6/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (13/6/2023) 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.

















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.

A word or phrase that defines the answer. All cryptic clues usually have a minimum of one definition which will be located at the beginning or end of the clue.
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.
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.
Punctuation generally should be ignored - always consider how a clue reads without punctuation.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
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AFR Cryptic (13/6/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ESTEEM
High achiever deals with withdrawn credit (6) E + (MEETS reversed)
5 TACKLES
Has a go at gutless clerk in accounts? (7) C(ler)K inside TALES
9 GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Source of drugs, noted girl, distorted point of view (6,8) Anagram of NOTED GIRL + ANGLE
11 HAT TRICK
Part of a magic act that transformed small wrench (3,5) Anagram of THAT + RICK
12 DOLLAR
Adjustment of All Ords devalued Australian currency? (6) Anagram of (ALL ORD)s
14 MOULD
Growth due to fungi’s shape (5) Double Definition
15 REASSURED
Users involved in study should be encouraged (9) Anagram of USERS inside READ
17 POST-HASTE
Delivery has limitations of time right away (4-5) POST + HAS + T(im)E
19 CODES
All kept from changing so-called secret writings (5) Anagram of SO CALLED minus ALL
21 TIRADE
One with a role in commerce lecture (6) I inside TRADE
23 MORTGAGE
Term extended by $1000 in additional housing loan (8) (TAG outside G) inside MORE
25 RADIO TELESCOPE
High-powered receiver activated coils operated by energy (5,9) Anagram of COILS OPERATED + E
26 WRECKER
Wide creek mucked up river for destroyer (7) W + anagram of CREEK + R
27 TWENTY
Run of Cabaret went years – quite a few (6) cabareT WENT Years
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 SHOOT-OUTS
Decisive battles scare away aggressive solicitors (5-4) SHOO + TOUTS
3 ENDURED
Experienced nude turned a vivid colour (7) Anagram of NUDE + RED
4 MANICURIST
Fellow is captivated by one short beautician (10) MAN + IS inside (I + CURT)
5 TORY
Conservative report short on substance primarily (4) STORY minus (S)ubstance
6 CHAMOIS
Company is importing some pig leather (7) (CO + IS) outside HAM
7 LEGAL
Allowed member a little latitude (5) LEG + A + L
8 SPEARED
Expedition crossing a river may be hit by missiles (7) SPEED outside (A + R)
10 WHIM
Fancy whip shortened by metre (4) WHI(p) + M
13 MALEVOLENT
Virile one pulled away from violent hostile (10) MALE + (VIOLENT minus I)
16 RED CARPET
One not taken with trade price arranged VIP treatment (3,6) Anagram of TRADE PRICE minus I
17 PIT CREW
Racing team’s Italian car losing a component lodged inside seat (3,4) [IT + (CAR minus A)] inside PEW
18 HADDOCK
Fish consumed weed (7) HAD + DOCK
19 CUTICLE
Dead skin penetrated by rotten lice (7) CUT + anagram of LICE
20 SEEM
Appear to identify with mass (4) SEE + M
22 RIDGE
Travel across front of gully and long narrow range of hills (5) RIDE outside (G)ully
24 DEAR
Precious diamonds listed by auditor (4) D + EAR

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 13/6/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (6/6/2026) 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.

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 13 June, Clue Hints

















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 a jumbling of letters except for the initial or final letter of the anagram fodder. An anagram indicator and truncation 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.

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.

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 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 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 pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

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.

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.

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AFR Cryptic (6/6/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DUGITE
Snake grasped it easily at the start (6) DUG + IT + (E)asily
4 MANDATES
Individual determines the age of charges (8) MAN + DATES
9 SKATE
Runner and swimmer (5) Double Definition
10 SPRINKLER
It’s used to water part of green left in care of retired representatives (9) (RINK + L) inside (REPS reversed)
11 BRIOCHE
Zest applied to half of cheese roll (7) BRIO + (CHE)ese
12 PATIENT
Sick person is clear about onset of illness (7) PATENT outside (I)llness
13 SHIP
Send head of security in (4) (S)ecurity + HIP
14 ORNAMENT
Leading light or star not contracted? (8) OR + NAME + N(o)T
17 DECEASED
Expired case requiring editing in legal document (8) Anagram of CASE inside DEED
19 PIER
Early type of spacecraft losing track of one landing site (4) PIONEER minus ONE
22 RISES UP
Ruse is organised by leader of political rebels (5,2) Anagram of RUSE IS + (P)olitics
24 PASTERN
Pressure applied to a hard part of horse�s foot (7) P + A + STERN
25 PROVISION
Something supplied for an imaginative plan (9) PRO + VISION
26 CADET
Trainee made less money primarily in court (5) MADE minus (M)oney inside CT
27 CLEARING
Close call about each evacuation (8) (CL + RING) outside EA
28 SOURCE
Author’s cheekiness apparent in speech (6) Sounds like SAUCE
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DISABUSE
Is a coach in middle of ordeal set straight? (8) (IS + A + BUS) inside or(DE)all
2 GRATIFIED
Pleased with $1000 formally approved (9) G + RATIFIED
3 TRENCH
Ditch fish spread over the banks of river (6) TENCH outside R
5 AEROPLANE SPIN
A lean pro messed up, especially in a wrestling manoeuvre (9,4) Anagram of A LEAN PRO + ESP + IN
6 DINETTE
Unruly characters in detention missing out on a place to eat (7) Anagram of DETENTION minus ON
7 TILDE
Diacritical mark left in withdrawn rewrite (5) L inside (EDIT reversed)
8 SURETY
American backed renewed tyre guarantee (6) US reversed + anagram of TYRE
10 SMEAR CAMPAIGN
Confused manager is needled by side’s attack on reputation (5,8) Anagram of MANGER IS outside CAMP
15 TAIL-ENDER
Poor striker thanks one financial institution willing to advance money (4-5) TA + I + LENDER
16 BRUNETTE
Dark web harnessed by cruelly rapacious person (8) NET inside BRUTE
18 CASHIER
Discharge one taking part in search at sea (7) I inside anagram of SEARCH
20 TROPIC
Worldly division, right, included in subject matter (6) R inside TOPIC
21 PSYCHO
Participants in autopsy chose headcase (6) autoPSY CHOse
23 SHORE
Prop is not happy about back from Penrith (5) SORE outside penrit(H)

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 6/6/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (30/5/2026) 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 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 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 removal of a letter, letters, word or words (or their equivalents) from other parts of the clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: taken from, decreased by, less.

The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
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. 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.

A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

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. 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 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.

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AFR Cryptic (30/5/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LIFE SPAN
Decrypted files criticise maximum time spent working (4,4) Anagram of FILES + PAN
5 PAROLE
Conditionally release play without every second part (6) P(l)A(y) + ROLE
10 CLAMOUR
Cold ending of political affair generated outcry (7) C + politica(L) + AMOUR
11 LOADING
A racket noted in journal is appearing on screen (7) (A + DIN) inside LOG
12 ERECT
Standing on ceremony initially in middle of cemetery (5) [ON + (C)eremony] inside cem(ET)ery
13 SNOWDRIFT
Directly drive inside separate feature of Thredbo, say (9) (NOW + DR) inside SIFT
14 POSTGRADUATE
“Who wants more qualifications adjusted?”, a tutor gasped (12) Anagram of A TUTOR GASPED
18 PLAIN-DEALING
Honest dean moved into place suffering from poor health (5-7) Anagram of DEAN inside (PL + AILING)
21 COLD FRONT
Old Father, working in court, identified change in atmosphere (4,5) (OLD + FR + ON) inside CT
23 GET TO
Arrive at poor part of city with no hospital (3,2) GHETTO minus H
24 ROOSTER
Farm animal, duck, included in inventory (7) O inside ROSTER
25 OPALINE
Say something about aluminium and glass (7) OPINE outside AL
26 MUSCLE
Uncle Sam moved around without using an elevator, for instance (6) Anagram of UNCLE SAM minus AN
27 ASSESSOR
Fool ordered roses for someone in the tax department (8) ASS + anagram of ROSES
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LACKEY
Servant trimmed lace of great importance (6) LAC(e) + KEY
2 FEARED
Sensor grabbed by American agent as anticipated (6) EAR inside FED
3 SHORTHORN
Cow and horse mostly chewed something prickly (9) Anagram of (HORS)e + THORN
4 ACROSS-THE-BOARD
A sober host ordered in eccentric General (6-3-5) A + (anagram of SOBER HOST inside CARD)
6 AWARD
A council’s administrative division bestowed honour (5) A + WARD
7 ORIGINAL
Novel is not written about one game of cards (8) ORAL outside (I + GIN)
8 EIGHTEEN
Number three-way joint needed in new design of hinge (8) TEE inside anagram of HINGE
9 BLOOD RELATIONS
Soldier on boat switched around large family (5,9) Anagram of SOLDIER ON BOAT outside L
15 DENIGRATE
One taking part in study recollected great slander (9) I inside (DEN + anagram of GREAT)
16 SPECTRUM
Range and assortment of crumpets (8) Anagram of CRUMPETS
17 BALLOONS
Gasbags wholly taking part in benefits (8) ALL inside BOONS
19 STEINS
Bits of toothpaste in small mugs (6) toothpaSTE IN Small
20 DOG-EAR
Establish a place to take drugs (3-3) DO + GEAR
22 FATAL
Adipose tissue added to male’s middle could be disastrous (5) FAT + m(AL)e

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 30/5/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (23/5/2026) 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.
The entire answer can be discovered by mixing up letters. An appropriate anagram 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.

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 a mixing-up of letters.

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

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.
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AFR Cryptic (23/5/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BUCKLE DOWN
Stud was first to have to make a determined effort (6,4) BUCK + LED + OWN
6 DEED
Act’s text published in trade editions (4) traDE EDitions
10 BERMUDA TRIANGLE
Mature bird changed direction in mysterious Atlantic region (7,8) Anagram of MATURE BIRD + ANGLE
11 LEACH
Drain meadow next to church (5) LEA + CH
12 DELICATES
Some going out infested with lice changed underwear (9) DATES outside anagram of LICE
13 DYNAMICS
Varying levels of loudness I and many recalled in remastered CDs (8) (I + MANY) reversed inside anagram of CDS
15 FLIGHT
Air transport’s departure (6) Double Definition
18 PRYING
Intrusive religious activity not reflecting Paul’s second letter (6) PRAYING minus p(A)ul
19 RUSSIANS
Issuer hasn’t reapplied without including the foreign people (8) Anagram of ISSUER HASNT minus THE
22 TRANSIENT
Temporary service is returned in camping facility (9) [RAN + (IS reversed)} inside TENT
24 VESTA
Match against established side from Australia (5) V + EST + (A)ustralia
25 AS KEEN AS MUSTARD
Very enthusiastic request sends amateur all over the place (2,4,2,7) ASK + anagram of SENDS AMATEUR
26 EYED
Region of Sydney editor looked at (4) sydnEY EDitor
27 BEER GARDEN
Be enraged about fencing restricted area outside for drinkers (4,6) BE + anagram of ENRAGED outside R
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BUBBLED
Baby ran and gurgled (7) BUB + BLED
2 CERTAINTY
React badly one time in New York, in fact (9) Anagram of REACT + I + (T inside NY)
3 LAUGH
Characters in charge of onslaught crack up (5) onsLAUGHt
4 DEAD DUCK
Failure departed with no score (4,4) DEAD + DUCK
5 WARMLY
Guarded outside vacated mill in a friendly way? (6) WARY outside M(il)L
7 EIGHT
Start missed by power rowing team (5) (w)EIGHT
8 DEEP-SET
Travel quickly around heart of ghetto placed far in? (4-3) SPEED reversed + gh(ET)to
9 CALCULUS
Ring us about copper’s problem-solving technique (8) (CALL + US) outside CU
14 MINISTER
Fellow checking in government bigwig (8) MISTER outside IN
16 GRASSLAND
Donkey left grazing in magnificent pasture (9) (ASS + L) inside GRAND
17 CUSTOMER
Patron caught employer admitting to mistake initially (8) (C + USER) outside [TO + (M)istake]
18 PET HATE
Chief object of dislike that sat in urine (3,4) THAT inside PEE
20 STAND-IN
Offensive act taking time and reserve (5-2) SIN outside (T + AND)
21 DEFACE
Vandalise and damage unoccupied, renovated cafe? (6) D(amag)E + anagram of CAFE
23 ANKLE
Flanker out of bounds twisted joint? (5) Anagram of f)LANKE(r
24 VISTA
Panorama from capital of Tibet is plastic-wrapped? (5) T inside VISA

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 23/5/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (16/5/2026) 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.
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 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.
A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

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.

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.

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.

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AFR Cryptic (16/5/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RUINOUS
One after Rugby Union talent is extremely harmful (7) (I after RU) + NOUS
5 DEFIANT
I gave food to retired worker ready for a fight (7) [(I + FED) reversed] + ANT
9 PUPIL
Mouthpiece excited about one with class? (5) (LIP + UP ) reversed
10 AEGEAN SEA
Age affected each couple transporting Poles in part of the Mediterranean (6,3) Anagram of AGE + [(EA + EA) outside N+S]
11 FORWARDS
People who play football for local areas (8) FOR + WARDS
12 AT HEEL
Athlete, losing time, manoeuvred close behind (2,4) Anagram of ATHLETE minus T
14 DIRECTORS CHAIR
Rich actors shifted following terrible seating arrangement (9,5) Anagram of RICH ACTORS after DIRE
17 MULTIPLICATION
Leader of major political unit organised expansion (14) (M)ajor + anagram of POLITICAL UNIT
21 SELECT
Choose love’s restrictions embraced by religious group? (6) (L)ov(E) inside SECT
23 ELLIPTIC
Oval pill used in quote the wrong way (8) (PILL inside CITE) reversed
25 IMAGINARY
Grain reprocessed in one month – that’s unreal (9) Anagram of GRAIN inside (I + MAY)
26 OMAHA
Some from a happy place in Nebraska (5) frOM A HAppy
27 GAS JETS
Burners start to jam in different stages (3,4) (J)am inside anagram of STAGES
28 RANGERS
Conclusion of hiker greatly annoys park officers (7) hike(R) + ANGERS
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RIP-OFF
Pop mostly used in repeated music scam (3-3) (PO)p inside RIFF
2 IMPARTIAL
One joined with power bound by military objective (9) I + (P inside MARTIAL)
3 ON LEAVE
Stewed veal eaten by one having a holiday (2,5) Anagram of VEAL inside ONE
4 STANDSTILL
Stop two saints in a bad way? (10) (ST AND ST) + ILL
5 DOGS
Setters, say, fill in empty grids? (4) DO + G(rid)S
6 FRANTIC
Wild songbird briefly spotted in French capital once (7) TI(t) inside FRANC
7 AISLE
Supermarket section is taken up by alcohol (5) IS inside ALE
8 TRAILERS
Means of transport featured in concise, abbreviated advertising (8) RAIL inside (TERS)e
13 BRICKLAYER
Builder’s first stack upset early worker on site (10) (B)uilder + RICK + anagram of EARLY
15 ABOUT-FACE
Turn around mismanaged cafe after a fight (5-4) Anagram of CAFE after (A + BOUT)
16 SMASHING
Great serving of Paris mash in gravy (8) pariS MASH IN Gravy
18 INCLINE
Lean mince’s contents kept on file? (7) m(INC)e + LINE
19 TRICORN
Hat we pinched from distracted town crier? (7) Anagram of TOWN CRIER minus WE
20 OCEANS
Canoes handled rough seas (6) Anagram of CANOES
22 LIARS
Storytellers so ignored by sailors at sea (5) Anagram of SAILORS minus SO
24 GAPS
Piano played in wonderful openings (4) P inside GAS

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