AFR Cryptic, Saturday 3/5/2025, Clue Hints

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

















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 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 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.
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 found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal 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.

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.

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AFR Cryptic (ANZAC 2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DISCRIMINATED
Record considered broken by one minute is singled out (13) DISC + RATED outside (I + MIN)
9 BLEND IN
Wine store securing loan to match others (5,2) BIN outside LEND
10 SLUGGER
Small sailing ship – one that may strike a big blow (7) S + LUGGER
11 CORPS
Centre listened to military unit (5) Sounds like CORE
12 CALIBRATE
Fine-tune case framing a politician (9) CRATE outside (A + LIB)
13 EYE CHART
Are they confused about speed of light tester used by an optometrist? (3,5) Anagram of ARE THEY outside C
15 BARELY
First component of basic relay switched just (6) (B)asic + anagram of RELAY
18 MEDIUM
Die horribly in the arms of tight-lipped spiritualist (6) Anagram of DIE inside MUM
19 VILLAINS
Criminals should be home with others around? (8) IN inside VILLAS
22 STALEMATE
Drunken male wearing government tie (9) Anagram of MALE inside STATE
24 SHUTS
Accommodation for skiers in centre of Russia closes (5) HUT inside ruSSia
25 IN-GROUP
Sect kept from prosecuting newly formed clique (2-5) Anagram of PROSECUTING minus SECT
26 THEATRE
Have a meal right inside the cinema (7) (EAT + R) inside THE
27 LETTER-PERFECT
Renter cheeky about iron clubs correct in every detail (6-7) LETTER + PERT outside (FE + C)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DEBACLE
Cable twisted inside unloaded device is a failure? (7) Anagram of CABLE inside D(evic)E
2 SPEARHEAD
Pioneer’s fruit tree the fellow planted in grave (9) (PEAR + HE) inside SAD
3 RIDES
Popular entertainment group from Madrid especially (5) madRID ESsentially
4 MANICURE
Neatly trim fellow, one with remedy (8) MAN + I + CURE
5 NESTLE
Teens, upset about closure of school, settle in (6) Anagram of TEENS outside schoo(L)
6 THUMBNAIL
Small picture is cut from this and arranged in album (9) THIS minus IS + anagram of IN ALBUM
7 DOGMA
Follow scholar’s teaching (5) DOG + MA
8 ARTERY
Main line crook pinched from ordnance (6) ARTILLERY minus ILL
14 HOUSEBOAT
Deal with snake found in heated mobile home (9) (USE + BOA) inside HOT
16 ETIQUETTE
Convention unsettled quiet setter with no limitations? (9) Anagram of QUIET + s)ETTE(r
17 LIVE IT UP
Throw one criminal over and celebrate (4,2,2) (PUT + I + EVIL) reversed
18 MOSAIC
Agents of CIA somehow returned an artistic work in pieces (6) CIA SOMehow reversed
20 SUSPECT
Have doubts about religious group keeping us quiet (7) SECT outside (US + P)
21 SAMPLE
Last portion of haggis, more than enough to try (6) haggi(S) + AMPLE
23 ANGEL
An application in semi-solid form is a very good one (5) AN + GEL
24 STEER
Handle old bull (5) Double Definition

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AFR Cryptic, ANZAC 2025, Clue Hints

A few bumps in the road over the last few weeks. Sorry about that. Back on track

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

















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.
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.
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.

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 entire answer is found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal 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.
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AFR Cryptic (Easter 2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STRETCHY
Vomit found in filthy place is rubbery (8) RETCH in STY
5 BIASED
Partisan, one for instance, engaged by foundation (6) (I + AS) inside BED
10 FEDERAL ELECTION
National decision strengthened porter, say, left in building (7,8) FED + [(ALE + L) inside ERECTION]
11 LOADED DICE
Gambler’s friends, odd, deal shuffled diamonds (6,4) Anagram of ODD DEAL + ICE
12 HEAL
Outspoken person who’s not nice to treat (4) Sounds like HEEL
14 WINTRY
Icy land sample (6) WIN + TRY
15 EDITION
Complicated diet, one dealing with issue (7) Anagram of DIET + I + ON
18 MANDATE
Staff meeting’s official instruction (7) MAN + DATE
20 SOFTIE
Hacked site of person who is weak and excessively sentimental (6) Anagram of SITE OF
22 HALL
Passage in hotel used by everyone (4) H + ALL
24 COMMERCIAL
Unusual relic, described in letters, is in demand? (10) Anagram of RELIC COMMA
26 SUNRISE INDUSTRY
In study, insurers redefined “new business” (7,8) Anagram of IN STUDY INSURERS
27 SORTER
One who organises length of semesters or terms (6) semesterS OR TERms
28 FREE DROP
Water grass, growing by river, defined in dandy golf ruling (4,4) (REED + R) inside FOP
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SAFELY
Speak about iron left in one piece (6) SAY outside (FE + L)
2 RADIATION
Act of giving out aid in recession included in quota (9) AID reversed inside RATION
3 TORRENTIAL
Coming down fast hill, hire car steered around one (10) TOR + (RENTAL outside I)
4 HOLIDAY
I had activities primarily during sacred festival like Easter (7) [ID + (A)ctivities] inside HOLY
6 ITCH
Lead removed from dog with irritation (4) (b)ITCH
7 SEIZE
Confiscate drug in bulk (5) E inside SIZE
8 DANGLING
Disconnected end of rod before fishing (8) ro(D) + ANGLING
9 CLOCHE
Cover and sheet cut from prepared cheesecloth (6) Anagram of CHEESECLOTH minus SHEET
13 MISFORTUNE
Accident is from bungled engine adjustment (10) Anagram of IS FROM + TUNE
16 INITIATOR
Creative type reformed a trio after taking part (9) Anagram of A TRIO after IN IT
17 EMPHASES
Stresses central part of supplemental chapters (8) supplEMental + PHASES
19 ELOPED
East European picked up diamonds and ran off (6) E + (POLE reversed) + D
20 SEMINAR
Workshop operated in recession underneath house (7) RAN reversed after SEMI
21 PLAY UP
Call attention to malfunction (4,2) Double Definition
23 LINER
It provides protection inside a ship (5) Double Definition
25 KITE
Wind-up toy? (4) Cryptic Definition

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AFR Cryptic AJ (Easter 2025) Solution

Please see PDF for solution

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AFR Cryptic, Easter 2025, Clue Hints

Due to unforeseen circumstances there won’t be any clue hints this week. You guys are going to have to work a little harder (again).

Feel free to post here to discuss the Easter crosswords to work things out amongst yourselves, or ask for hints.

Best

David

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AFR Cryptic Solutions

Due to unforeseen circumstances, outstanding solutions will not be available until midweek. Sorry about that.

If you have particular clue/solution questions on any of my past crosswords I’m happy to answer them.

Thanks

David

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 12/4/2025, Clue Hints

Due to unforeseen circumstances there won’t be any clue hints this week. You guys are going to have to work a little harder.

Feel free to post here to discuss the crossword to work things out amongst yourselves.

Best

David

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AFR Cryptic (5/4/2025) Solution

Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be no solution this week (first time in more than 550 consecutive weeks).

Will supply solution next week.

Thanks

David

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 5/4/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (29/3/2025) 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.





















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 is found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal indicator will be present.
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 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 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.

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 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 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.
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 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 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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