AFR Cryptic AJ (Xmas 2024) Solution

Please see the PDF for the worked solution

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AFR Cryptic (Xmas 2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ACARID
Cutting pierced by a mite (6) ACRID outside A
5 ACCEPT
Receive copies wrapped in tape loosely (6) CC inside anagram of TAPE
8 FUNDAMENTALISM
Support a leader of theology after people misinterpreted Islam’s strict religious beliefs (14) FUND + A +[(T)heology after MEN)] + anagram of ISLAM
10 EQUITY
Justice is quite confused by attorney’s conclusion (6) Anagram of QUITE + attorne(Y)
11 BRIAN ENO
One in bar distracted musician influential in experimental music (5,3) Anagram of ONE IN BAR
13 PORE
Opening is not very good according to audience (4) Sounds like POOR
14 INFALLIBLE
Popular old story about misfortune returning is sure to succeed (10) IN + [FABLE outside (ILL reversed)]
17 REDISCOVER
Once again find wine is finished after start of course (10) RED + IS + [OVER after (C)ourse]
18 DADO
Decorated part of a wall constructed, in the end, with difficulty (4) constructe(D) + ADO
20 ORDAINED
Radio broadcast retraction of study as required (8) Anagram of RADIO + (DEN reversed)
22 PRESET
Research in particular should be arranged in advance (6) RES inside PET
24 POLITICAL PARTY
Albanese’s mob stuffing art policy – it upset group in parliament (9,5) ALP inside anagram of ART POLICY IT
25 PIDGIN
Sort of lipreading not catering for “real” language (6) Anagram of LIPREADING minus REAL
26 TILLER
One who works the land steering contraption (6) Double Definition
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 CONCURRED
Agreed about scoundrel consumed by credibility (9) (ON + CUR) inside CRED
3 ROASTS
Hot joints, for instance, counted among spoils (6) AS inside ROTS
4 DEEP
Intellectual visited ladies, say, heading west (4) PEED reversed
5 ALTERNATES
A large seabird at centre of nest takes turns (10) A + L + TERN + AT + n(ES)t
6 CULPABLE
Competition expert, punched by learner, is at fault (8) (CUP + ABLE) outside L
7 PASSE
Old hat faded almost completely (5) (PASSE)d
8 FREE PARDON
Noble turned up in remote district, initially assigned to Amnesty (4,6) PEER reversed inside FAR + (D)istrict + ON
9 NOTEWORTHY
Striking, not strange theory, based around tungsten (10) NOT + anagram of THEORY outside W
12 INDONESIAN
Asian one is briefly adopted by another? (10) ONES inside INDIAN
15 BRASSERIE
Fresh berries offered outside a small restaurant (9) Anagram of BERRIES outside (A + S)
16 ASPIRING
One in a vault is ambitious (8) I inside (A + SPRING)
19 PROPEL
Footballer held down flankers to move ahead? (6) PROP + h)EL(d
21 DHOTI
Hindu garment currently fashionable in the outskirts of Delhi? (5) HOT inside (D)elh(I)
23 PART
Leave hazard on course raked over (4) TRAP reversed

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AFR Xmas 2024 Year In Review Solution

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AFR Cryptic, Christmas Bumper 2024, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (14/12/2024) 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.
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 using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
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) 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.

The clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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 found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal 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.
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 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.
All words can be validly written with a leading capital without changing their meaning. Hence, the capitalisation of a word may present a different picture than is intended.
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.
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 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 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.
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AFR Cryptic AJ, Christmas Bumper 2024, Clue Hints

 

(Click on the given letter 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 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) 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.

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 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.
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AFR Cryptic (14/12/2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 TOUCHSTONE
Standard sort of cut shot finishing up with single (10) Anagram of CUT SHOT + ONE
6 BUST
Work of art is broken (4) Double Definition
8 PROVINCE
Area in front of courthouse featured in show (8) [IN + (C)ourt] inside PROVE
9 CARPET
Reprimand coach with blue-eyed boy (6) CAR + PET
10 ASIO
Spy group is recalled following a leader of operations (4) IS reversed after A + (O)perations
11 SPACE CADET
School accepted a distracted person who is out of touch with reality (5,5) S + anagram of ACCEPTED A
12 INNOVATOR
Eggs delivered at the back of inn to right person who makes things happen (9) (OVA after INN) + TO + R
14 DUVET
Cover song performed by two, including verse (5) DUET outside V
17 THREW
Cast right into the water at the front (5) R inside [THE +(W)ater]
19 MAKE HASTE
Friend, carrying keg, nearly has to hurry (4,5) MATE outside [KE(g) + HAS]
22 MASCARPONE
Large serving of mash, fish and one kind of cream cheese (10) (MAS)h + CARP + ONE
23 ARIA
People leaving Armenia performed song (4) ARMENIA minus MEN
24 RESULT
Score drug addict brought back late, oddly (6) USER reversed + (L)a(T)e
25 HAIRLINE
Very thin hydrogen gas pipe (8) H + AIR + LINE
26 LOUT
Yahoo left in an exhausted state (4) L + OUT
27 STRING VEST
Small band against wearing sample underwear (6,4) S + [( RING + V) inside TEST]
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 TOPIARIST
Fashion-conscious gardener’s hat is covered in art (9) TOPI + (IS inside ART)
2 UTOPIAN
University, to one on board vessel, is ideal (7) U + TO + (I inside PAN)
3 SANDSOAP
Abrasive cleaner, an awful sod, stuck in drain (8) (AN + anagram of SOD) inside SAP
4 ONE WAY OR ANOTHER
Switched on a new rotary hoe somehow (3,3,2,7) Anagram of ON A NEW ROTARY HOE
5 EXCEED
Beat former outspoken top player (6) EX + sounds like SEED
6 BARRACUDA
Fish food that’s regurgitated by a fish (9) BARRA + CUD + A
7 SEE HERE
Hassled sheepshearer not influenced by sharp look (3,4) Anagram of SHEEPSHEARER minus SHARP
13 OPEN COURT
Public tribunal ordered recount following downsizing of operation (4,5) Anagram of RECOUNT after OP
15 THE LATEST
Athletes reserved time for current information? (3,6) Anagram of ATHLETES + T
16 DELETION
Removed passage and note was first written up about one (8) (NOTE + LED) reversed outside I
18 HEAVE TO
Stop sailing ban after heat decreased (5,2) VETO after HEA(t)
20 SURMISE
Suspect male is locked in stable (7) (M + IS) inside SURE
21 GRATIS
Head of giant rodent is on the house (6) (G)iant + RAT + IS

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 14/12/2024, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (7/12/2024) 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 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 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.
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.

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 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 (7/12/2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SCRAPES
Vessel with cargo of inferior ecstasy hits rock bottom? (7) SS outside (CRAP + E)
5 BITUMEN
Big contracted trade union workers tarred road (7) BI(g) + TU + MEN
9 INTRAVENOUS DRIP
Drug supplier, in drug-induced state, pushed around greedy detective (11,4) (IN + TRIP) outside (RAVENOUS + D)
10 GROVEL
Small wood facing large fawn (6) GROVE + L
11 ADHESION
Firm contact had switched sound around (8) Anagram of HAS + (NOISE reversed)
13 OVER THE TOP
Brazen male, with backing of corporation, is flamboyant (4,3,3) OVERT + HE + (POT reversed)
15 BEAT
Defeat brutal person without weapons ultimately (4) BEAST minus weapon(S)
18 ROOK
Cheat is caught – given up by criminal (4) CROOK minus C
19 FRANCHISEE
Authorised dealer from large farm is in charge (10) (RANCH + IS) inside FEE
21 SWEARING
Promising auditor buoyed by a change of fortune (8) EAR inside SWING
22 PERSIA
Is agent withdrawn by a part of Asia once? (6) (IS + REP) reversed + A
25 TRANSFIGURATION
Change to form replaced unfair GST with fixed allowance (15) Anagram of UNFAIR GST + RATION
26 DREADED
A deed falsely initiated by doctor is awful (7) Anagram of A DEED after DR
27 SCENTED
Time put into display by head of department featuring perfume (7) T inside SCENE + (D)epartment
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SWING DOOR
Flapper’s gown is tossed around party room initially (5,4) Anagram of GOWN IS outside DO + (R)oom
2 RATIO
Operation not limited by unrestricted correspondence (5) OPERATION without OPEN on the outside
3 PLACENTA
Political group raised money given by a supplier in development (8) ALP reversed + CENT +A
4 SEEK
Look for outspoken member of Hindu sect (4) Sounds-like SIKH
5 BLOODHOUND
Detective left hood beaten up in vault (10) (l + anagram of HOOD) inside BOUND
6 TOSSER
One having a fling ordered roses after short time (6) Anagram of ROSES after T
7 MERCILESS
Hard relic fractured in hot water (9) Anagram of RELIC inside MESS
8 NIP IN
Form of identification needed after Northern Ireland visit (3,2) PIN after NI
12 BEAR IN MIND
Remember drunken marine wearing tie (4,2,4) Anagram of MARINE inside BIND
14 EXONERATE
Clear old friend, one found with speed (9) EX + ONE + RATE
16 THE DAMNED
Condemned people hated men converted by reverend at the end (3,6) Anagram of HATED MEN + reveren(D)
17 SHOELACE
Holes fixed by fine line used to secure footwear (8) Anagram of HOLES + ACE
20 PRISED
Used leverage to lift end of floorboard behind piano (6) [RISE + floorboar(D)] after P
21 SITED
Having vision, it’s said, put in place (5) Sounds like SIGHTED
23 STINT
Period pieces collected by Justin Trudeau (5) juSTIN Trudeau
24 GUNS
Weapons, compact, turned up (4) SNUG reversed

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 7/12/2024, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (30/11/2024) 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.
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 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.
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.

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.
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.
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 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 (30/11/2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ASPECT
Space altered astronaut’s final outlook (6) Anagram of SPACE + astronau(T)
4 UP STICKS
International carrier checks move to a new location (2,6) UPS + TICKS
10 PUT ACROSS
Backing up, co-stars prepared to communicate successfully (3,6) UP reversed + anagram of COSTARS
11 TOP-UP
A boost to new plant (3-2) TO + PUP
12 INNARDS
A road, cutting through public houses, works (7) (A + RD) inside INNS
13 EARLIER
Invention, right, put behind ear in the first place (7) (LIE + R) after EAR
14 TIARA
Crown’s pieces returned from Carrara, Italy (5) carrARA ITaly reversed
15 ARGUMENT
A letter’s due about adhesive’s claim (8) (A + RENT) outside GUM
18 CATHETER
Provide stuff containing the medical tube (8) CATER outside THE
20 SPOON
Consumer’s assistant quietly slipped in without delay (5) P inside SOON
23 CHAPLIN
Famous comedian’s place enclosed by a mountain range (7) PL inside CHAIN
25 ROUTINE
Conventional defeat in lacrosse right at the end (7) ROUT + IN + lacross(E)
26 LARGE
Serving of regular gelato is substantial (5) reguLAR GElato
27 PRIMITIVE
Prudish one against wearing tie lacking in refinement (9) PRIM + I + (V inside TIE)
28 DUMPSTER
Cleaner taking care of politician’s bin (8) DUSTER outside MP
29 REGENT
Governor, for example, restricted by cost of living (6) EG inside RENT
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 APPOINTS
Chooses software overseas gaining interest (8) APP + (OS outside INT)
2 PETUNIA
Favourite place in which to study a funnel-shaped flower (7) PET + UNI + A
3 COCKROACH
Ocker dropping E in bus is a pest (9) (OCKER minus E) inside COACH
5 PASSENGER TRAIN
People mover’s gears parents modified at home (9,5) Anagram of GEARS PARENTS + IN
6 TATER
Partakers of banquet ate red vegetable (5) banqueT ATE Red
7 CAPTION
One contributing to top cricket score is a legend (7) I inside (CAP + TON)
8 SUPERB
Retired salesperson travelling in bus is fine (6) (REP inside BUS) reversed
9 CONSTANTINOPLE
Firm relocated Pole in old European capital (14) CONSTANT + anagram of POLE IN
16 MASCULINE
Strong mast greatly supported by copper wire (9) (MAS)t + CU + LINE
17 INDECENT
Popular mix of teen CD is gross (8) IN + anagram of TEEN CD
19 ANAGRAM
My device possibly, a worrying person linked to computer component (7) A + NAG + RAM
21 ORIFICE
Mouth and ear infection treated without an ENT (7) Anagram of EAR INFECTION minus AN ENT
22 SCALED
Like a fish mounted? (6) Double Definition
24 LEEDS
English football team’s star players should be announced (5) Sounds like LEADS

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