AFR Cryptic (28/6/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PHASED
Section of bookshop has editions released in stages (6) bookshoP HAS EDitions
5 CAMP BED
Stretcher arrived containing lead handles in the middle! (4,3) CAME outside [PB + han(D)les]
9 DATA PROCESSING
Reformatted discs, a top range, work on computers (4,10) Anagram of DISCS A TOP RANGE
11 EIFFEL
Designer of tower made out of iron, noted in unusual file (6) FE inside anagram of FILE
12 IN DANGER
Vulnerable independent dealt with resentment (2,6) IND + ANGER
14 TORT
Associates of administrator tackled a civil wrong (4) administraTOR Tackled
15 BIRTHRIGHT
I restricted half of this in promising inheritance (10) [I + R + (TH)is] inside BRIGHT
18 WATERTIGHT
Impregnable bow of warship hit target at sea? (10) (W)arship + nagram of HIT TARGET
19 MILK
Exploit type chasing male (4) ILK after M
22 REFLEXES
Whistleblower, left with old friends, turns back (8) REF + L + EXES
24 COTTON
Material taken from bed and not put back (6) COT + (NOT reversed)
26 ASSET-STRIPPING
When group’s initiating a corporate raider’s job (5-9) AS + SETS + TRIPPING
27 TUSCANY
Timeless art stolen from sanctuary disconcerted a region of Italy? (7) Anagram of SANCTUARY minus AR(t)
28 TRENDY
Conclusion accepted by judge now (6) END inside TRY
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 HEADFIRST
Hastily watered, in the end, trees planted in hot spell (9) [watere(D) + FIRS] inside HEAT
3 SEALED
Certain marine acted as a guide (6) SEA + LED
4 DIRE
Colourist sounded desperate (4) Sounds like DYER
5 COCONUT SHY
Companies head modest and fair game? (7,3) (CO + CO) + NUT + SHY
6 MASSACRE
Mow down heap piled next to a piece of land (8) MASS + ACRE
7 BRING
Escort follower of a band (5) B + RING
8 DOGTROT
Do great, then decline a gently paced jog (7) DO + GT + ROT
10 VENT
Opening item on a program started late (4) e(VENT)
13 DILIGENTLY
Hard cover turned around by one gradually (10) LID reversed + I + GENTLY
16 GLISTENED
Head of government took notice and shone (9) (G)overnment + LISTENED
17 GREEN TEA
Starter of goose (entree), prepared with a hot drink (5,3) (G) + anagram of ENTREE + A
18 WARRANT
Justify angry tirade on the subject of war (7) WAR RANT
20 KIND
Friendly class (4) Double Definition
21 COUPLE
Item left in car (6) L inside COUPE
23 FUSES
Fellow handles explosive attachments (5) F + USES
25 SILT
Pose holding large deposit (4) SIT outside L

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 28/6/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (21/6/2025) 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.
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.
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AFR Cryptic (21/6/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 IMPARTED
Acknowledgement by one who’s separated is passed on (8) Double Definition
5 BARBED
Rail and support used for sleeper is spiked (6) BAR + BED
9 PARIS
European capital is following an accepted standard (5) IS after PAR
10 PASSED OUT
Old-fashioned duo arranged time and circulated (6,3) PASSE + anagram of DUO + T
12 SPIN DOCTOR
“New product is not without support of trade union” – public relations expert (4,6) Anagram of PRODUCT IS NOT minus TU
13 IDLE
A number of well-paid lecturers could be jobless (4) wellpaID LEcturers
15 DEMENTED
Soldiers, with time in action, cracked (8) (MEN + T) inside DEED
16 DAINTY
Interest accrued in a period of time is fine (6) INT inside DAY
18 WINGER
Boundary rider and bowler dismissing opener (6) (s)WINGER
19 VENDETTA
Long-term battle’s resolution, accepted by beastly doctor with thanks (8) (END inside VET) + TA
22 SPAY
Doctor is last to assess earnings (4) asses(S) + PAY
23 RAN THROUGH
Extravagant speech, hard and unpleasant, should be reviewed (3,7) RANT + H + ROUGH
25 PRIVILEGE
Puritan, injected with vile drug, is right (9) PRIG outside VILE + E
26 ADDLE
Make rotten oars with ends not attached (5) p)ADDLE(s
27 CANCER
Car passed around one leaving nice house (6) CAR outside N(i)CE
28 RECHARGE
Ordered archer back, say, to reload (8) Anagram of ARCHER + (EG reversed)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 IMPOSED
Modified model of moped is introduced without asking (7) Anagram of MOPED IS
2 PARLIAMENTARIAN
Father and animal trainer corrupted a government worker (15) PA + anagram of ANIMAL TRAINER
3 RESIDENCES
Places new-fangled screen around boundary (10) Anagram of SCREEN outside SIDE
4 EXPECTED
Old friend went to the toilet outside court as anticipated (8) (EX + PEED) outside CT
6 AREA
Career man regularly recalled field of study (4) c(A)r(E)e(R) m(A)n reversed
7 BLOOD-AND-THUNDER
Violent do had not developed into a big mistake (5-3-7) Anagram of DO HAD NOT inside BLUNDER
8 DITHERY
Hobbyist’s work clipping the roses at first is indecisive (7) DIY outside [THE + (R)oses)]
11 SHOW
Demonstrate hydrogen generated in plant (4) H inside SOW
14 BALDERDASH
Ladder, repaired in good time, is trash (10) Anagram of LADDER inside BASH
17 AESTHETE
Estate not normally occupied by male culture-vulture (8) Anagram of ESTATE outside HE
18 WESTPAC
Bank’s established limit set up after end of review (7) [EST + (CAP reversed)] after revie(W)
20 ATHLETE
A let admitted by the tennis player possibly (7) A + LET inside THE
21 CANE
Length of plastic, an everyday walking-stick (4) plastiC AN Everyday
24 MILE
Corrupted email missing a great deal (4) Anagram of EMAIL minus A

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 21/6/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (14/6/2025) 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 clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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 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 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 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.
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 answer is hidden inside the clue in reverse order. There are two indicators: one to signify that a hidden word is present; the other to reverse the letters.
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.
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.
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AFR Cryptic (14/6/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STRIKING
Remarkable Kangaroo Island seen in series (8) KI inside STRING
5 TIPPED
Leant over and provided some good advice (6) Double Definition
10 RICER
Quantity of water ice rusted kitchen utensil (5) wateR ICE Rusted
11 TEASPOONS
Stirrers tease mostly meddlesome person in retirement (9) (TEAS) + (SNOOP reversed)
12 PRIVATE LIFE
Pressure applied to relative disturbed about providing personal stuff (7,4) P + (anagram of RELATIVE outside IF)
13 EGO
Feelings, say, connected with love (3) EG + O
14 AGATHA CHRISTIE
One in charge that is a twisted crime writer (6,8) I inside anagram of CHARGE THAT IS A
18 WHOLE-HEARTEDLY
Hotel where lady relocated without reservation (5-9) Anagram of HOTEL WHERE LADY
22 SEE
Make out sound of the ocean (3) Sounds like SEA
23 PURPLE PATCH
New model of PC hurt Apple’s period of success (6,5) Anagram of PC HURT APPLE
26 TARPAULIN
Associates of superstar, Paul, inscribed sealed material? (9) supersTAR PAUL INscribed
27 SCULL
Guests ultimately select drink quickly (5) guest(S) + CULL
28 PUNISH
Beat nickel held in press (6) NI inside PUSH
29 GRADIENT
Rise and decline in monetary aid (8) DIE inside GRANT
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STRIPE
Priest converted a colourful band (6) Anagram of PRIEST
2 RACKING
Coach recalled star performer stretching excessively (7) CAR reversed + KING
3 KOREA
Section of park or earl’s divided land (5) parK OR EArl
4 NOTRE DAME
Somebody sent around to set up wine attraction in Paris (5,4) NAME outside [(TO reversed) + RED]
6 IMPRECISE
One male prepared recipes wrong (9) I + M + anagram of RECIPES
7 PROJECT
Discharge ace caught inside jet (7) PRO + (C inside JET)
8 DISCOVER
Find sound recording too much (8) DISC + OVER
9 MAXI
Racing yacht is last to confirm a team (4) confir(M) + A +XI
15 THESPIANS
The reels containing a cast’s members (9) (THE + SPINS) outside A
16 HARDLINER
Stubborn person owned large vessel crossing river (9) (HAD + LINER) outside R
17 TWIST TOP
Clown holding small pot knocked over beer bottle (5,3) TWIT outside S + (POT reversed)
19 OVERRAN
Deviate, in back of turbo vehicle, went too far (7) ERR inside [turb(O) + VAN]
20 LETTUCE
Cutlet cooked with last slice of huge salad vegetable (7) Anagram of CUTLET + hug(E)
21 CHALET
Accommodating place is well represented in court (6) HALE inside CT
24 RILL
Small stream and river in poor condition (4) R + ILL
25 POSED
Presented short description of sex in school (5) SE(x) inside POD

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 14/6/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (7/6/2025) 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 clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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.

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.
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 butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
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.

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 (7/6/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 POLLSTERS
They seek opinions from learners starring in advertisements (9) (L + L) inside POSTERS
6 BARED
Stripped members of club are daring (5) cluB ARE Daring
9 PHARMACOLOGISTS
Drug experts and academic on board cargo ship lost at sea (15) MA inside anagram of CARGO SHIP LOST
10 A LA CARTE
Associate initially ordered a claret according to the menu (1,2,5) (A)ssociate + anagram of A CLARET
11 DEFINE
Limit feeding, mostly in different positions (6) Anagram of (FEEDIN)g
13 SEXISM
Boundaries crossed over by male discrimination (6) SIXES reversed + M
14 INSIGHT
One soldier at the front restricted by night vision (7) I + [(S)oldier inside NIGHT]
17 EAT
Starter of eggs at breakfast, say (3) (E) + AT
18 LECTERN
Reading desk left centre in poor condition (7) L + anagram of CENTRE
20 CANDID
Leader from Canberra, an accomplished liberal (6) (C)anberra + AN + DID
23 GRADED
Nan almost died coughing up one in order (6) (GRA)n + (DIED minus I)
25 PINE CONE
Piece of fruit – hold down core of selected one (4,4) PIN + sel(EC)ted + ONE
27 TIMESHARE RESORT
The rioters smear redeveloped holiday centre (9,6) Anagram of THE RIOTERS SMEAR
28 DARED
Two detectives sitting outside are challenged (5) (D + D) outside ARE
29 GASTRITIS
A stone lodged in backbone is a medical problem (9) (A +ST) inside GRIT + IS
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 POPLAR
Aspen, say, is well-known except for university (6) POPULAR minus U
2 LEAFAGE
A cigarette found in shelter is marijuana, possibly (7) (A + FAG) inside LEE
3 SUMMARISE
Quantity of money is invested in horse, to cut a long story short (9) SUM + (IS inside MARE)
4 EXCITEMENT
Old friend with little money bottling up particular emotion (10) (EX + CENT) outside ITEM
5 SELF
Identity, one taken from retrieved files (4) FILES reversed minus I
6 BOGIE
Trolley that is dumped behind marshland (5) IE after BOG
7 RASPING
Harsh newspaper, full of favourable political stuff (7) RAG outside SPIN
8 DESSERTS
Leaves carrying starter of soup and sweets (8) DESERTS outside (S)oup
12 BITCHINESS
Spite took hold in opening board game (10) BIT + (IN inside CHESS)
15 SONNETEER
Poet’s introductory piece taken from Donne in guide (9) (d)ONNE inside STEER
16 BLIGHTED
Luminary, resting in bed, is spoiled (8) LIGHT inside BED
19 CHARMER
Sweet talker caught person who is abusive (7) C + HARMER
21 IRON OUT
Knock down one working in hiding (4,3) I + (ON inside ROUT)
22 TESTIS
Nut is attached to back of probe (6) IS after TEST
24 EASED
Smile as editor, to some extent, relaxed (5) smilE AS EDitor
26 BANG
Report nitrogen found in container (4) N inside BAG

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 7/6/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (31/5/2025) 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 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 turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

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

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.
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 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. 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) 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 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 (31/5/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ANGLO-SAXON
A slogan rewritten by performing Englishman (5-5) Anagram of A SLOGAN + X + ON
6 CROC
Snapper caught by fabulous bird (4) C + ROC
10 STARTER
Race official organised rest at conclusion of qualifier (7) Anagram of REST AT + qualifie(R)
11 SHUTTER
Part of a camera that’s quiet, say (7) SH + UTTER
12 REDEFINED
Colour choice adopted by editor is specified differently (9) RED + (FINE inside ED)
13 SPREE
Picture about public relations romp (5) SEE outside PR
14 CHA-CHA
Dance fellow almost completed more than once (3-3) CHA(p) twice
16 PANACHE
Criticise a chef lacking fine style (7) PAN + A + (CHEF minus F)
17 BIN
Dispose of returned bill (3) NIB reversed
19 FOR SURE
Abridged form confused user clearly (3,4) FOR(m) + anagram of USER
20 SCHEME
Seem out of place adopting church’s proposal (6) Anagram of SEEM outside CH
23 OUTDO
Trump is leaving studio broadcast before Oprah’s introduction (5) Anagram of STUDIO minus IS + (O)prah
24 GO IT ALONE
To act independently, Information Technology invested in target set by individual (2,2,5) IT inside (GOAL + ONE)
26 LEAFLET
Circular meadow left for redevelopment (7) LEA + anagram of LEFT
27 ERUDITE
Conclusion of the Italian accepted by impertinent academic (7) th(E) + (IT inside RUDE)
28 DIET
Cut out fat, ultimately? (4) DIE + fa(T)
29 INCOHERENT
Native interrupted by commanding officer is rambling (10) INHERENT outside CO
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ABSTRACT
Deep muscles stretch (8) ABS + TRACT
2 GRAND
Imposing Greek by the way (5) GR + AND
3 OUT OF THIS WORLD
Excellent flour withstood mixing (3,2,4,5) Anagram of FLOUR WITHSTOOD
4 AIRING
Publication – one produced in a syndicate (6) I inside (A + RING)
5 OBSIDIAN
A bond is reformulated containing one type of volcanic glass (8) Anagram of A BOND IS outside I
7 ROTARY HOE
Divided clubhouse with no room for American field worker? (6,3) ROTARY + (HOUSE minus US)
8 CORNET
Crown missing centrepiece – a piece of brass? (6) COR(o)NET
9 SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Replace a coach after position taken on ecstasy and misapplication of drugs (9,5) SUB + [(A + BUS) after STANCE] + E
15 ABOUT-FACE
Turn around mismanaged cafe after a fight (5-4) Anagram of CAFE after (A + BOUT)
16 PIE
Food from a bakery priced oddly (3) (P)r(I)c(E)d
17 BRIGHTEN
Clear up claim held by a Scottish high-rise? (8) RIGHT inside BEN
18 REVERENT
Loving is always apparent in split (8) EVER inside RENT
21 BOWLED
Ship’s leader went first and delivered (6) BOW + LED
22 LIKE SO
Koel is not normally this way (4,2) Anagram of KOEL IS
25 OLIVE
Love hot type of oil used in cooking (5) O + LIVE

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 31/5/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (24/5/2025) 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 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 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.
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 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.

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