AFR Cryptic (4/10/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ICECAP
Integrated circuit returned speed for a cold mass (6) IC + (PACE reversed)
5 BILLET
Metal bar or post (6) Double Definition
9 EBULLIENT
Excited male that is in care of specialist (9) (BULL + IE) inside ENT
10 STALL
Beat around the bush and animal enclosure (5) Double Definition
11 RELIEVED
Happy story, told inside, always backed by detective (8) LIE inside (EVER reversed) + D
12 BIOPIC
Big topic missing great personal story (6) BIG TOPIC minus GT
14 HOSPITABLE
Helpful shop replaced one piece of furniture (10) Anagram of SHOP + I + TABLE
15 MEAL
Trimmed beef, say, served with large quantity of food (4) MEA(t) + L
17 CHAT
Pet swallowing hot potato (4) CAT outside H
19 FLASHLIGHT
It may be needed to see rope in escape (10) LASH inside FLIGHT
22 EAGLET
Small bird’s broken leg ingested by swallow (6) ANagram of LEG inside EAT (verb)
23 GEMSTONE
It’s considered precious by most involved in DNA unit (8) Anagram of MOST inside GENE
25 CHILE
Country boy, say, cut off end of toe (5) CHIL(d) + to(E)
26 OVIPAROUS
Egg-laying duck and fat cat wake up briefly (9) O + VIP + AROUS(e)
27 THONGS
They are worn on the beach in different places (6) Double Definition
28 GET SET
Be prepared to experiment, for example, taking retirement (3,3) (TEST + EG) reversed
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 COUPLES
Items at a higher price in supermarket (7) UP inside COLES
3 CALLER ID
Representation of dialler after connecting initially? (6,2) Anagram of DIALLER after (C)onnecting
4 PREFERABLE
Favoured whistle-blower shown in by expert (10) REF inside (PER + ABLE)
5 BUTT
American behind an object of ridicule (4) Double Definition
6 LOST IT
One at end of street, parked in parking area, blew up (4,2) (I after ST) inside LOT
7 EXAMPLE
Test blood type removed from pale specimen (7) EXAM + (PALE minus A)
8 BLOCK LETTERS
Renters of a large group of buildings in capitals (5,7) Double Definition
9 EARTH SCIENCE
Nice teachers revised geology, for instance (5,7) Anagram of NICE TEACHERS
13 BLISTERING
Very hot tiles warped during transport (10) Anagram of TILES inside BRING
16 CLASS ACT
Distinguished performer caught by girl in front of a court (5,3) C + LASS + A + CT
18 ANGUISH
An outburst admitting one’s suffering (7) (AN + GUSH) outside I
20 GOOD ONE
Sticky stuff, cooked, that’s nice (4,3) GOO + DONE
21 SEVERN
Cut head of native English flower (6) SEVER + (N)ative
24 BOSS
One with the authority to manage stud (4) Double Definition

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 4/10/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (27/9/2025) 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 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.
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.
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 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 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 (27/9/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 MICROSOFT
Sort of iMac not supporting a modified Windows generator (9) Anagram of SORT OF IMAC minus A
6 LOGIC
Dope not picked up by disoriented police dog with good sense (5) Anagram of POLICE DOG minus DOPE
9 SHELF
It offers support in some cases? (5) Cryptic Definition
10 PERIMETER
Faulty timer carried by fellow outside (9) Anagram of TIMER inside PEER
11 STRICKEN
Suffering from illness, kid in broadcast finished early (8) TRICK inside SEN(d)
12 LEPERS
The French person giving up on social outcasts (6) LE + (PERSON minus ON)
15 HARDSHIP
Experienced vessel moved across river with difficulty (8) (HAD + SHIP) outside R
16 GLUE
Stick uranium in treated gel (4) U inside anagram of GEL
18 CHAP
Fellow with cheek (4) Double Definition
19 POLISHER
Rubber is hard inside pole right? (8) (IS + H) inside POLE + R
23 FORMER
Old shaping tool (6) Double Definition
24 FUEL CELL
“Power source went down” – absorbing cryptic clue (4,4) FELL outside anagram of CLUE
26 INSPIRING
Encouraging one sheltered by home well (9) I inside (IN + SPRING)
28 CLERK
Office worker, a stickler, ignoring IT as ordered (5) Anagram of A STICKLER minus (IT AS)
29 GLIDE
Move smoothly, say, around and across cover (5) EG reversed outside LID
30 DETONATED
Went off English school in old-fashioned setting (9) ETON inside DATED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 MISUSE
Minute issue distorted exploitation (6) M + anagram of ISSUE
2 CLEAR THE AIR
Clarify soil discovered in a relic needing restoration (5,3,3) EARTH inside anagram of A RELIC
3 OFFICER
Committee member, one caught in arms of volunteer (7) (I + C) inside OFFER
4 OPPRESSION
Hardship and pressure concealed by Spooner is complicated (10) P inside anagram of SPOONER IS
5 TURN
Switch temperature connected to boiler (4) T + URN
6 LIMPET
Large piece of fruit preferred with shellfish (6) (LIM)e + PET
7 GOT
Acquired leave before end of August (3) GO + augus(T)
8 CURTSIED
Dog, secured by rope around pole, showed respect (8) CUR + (TIED outside S)
13 ENLARGEMENT
People engaged by real gent corrected big shot (11) MEN inside anagram of REAL GENT
14 MINI-BUDGET
One shift cited in brand-new Government’s financial statement (4-6) (I + BUDGE) inside MINT
17 SCOFFING
Contents of comedian’s coffin generates derision (8) comedianS COFFIN Generates
20 HELICON
Help undersized figure with a bass tuba? (7) HEL(p) + ICON
21 REFINE
Sports official during final of league is perfect (6) REF + IN + leagu(E)
22 FLAKED
Flesh from shark and tail of cod peeled away in layers (6) FLAKE + co(D)
25 FIND
Come across addict dropping ecstasy (4) FIEND minus E
27 SKI
Captain mostly described travel over water (3) (SKI)p

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 27/9/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (20/9/2025) 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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

The 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 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 (20/9/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SCUTCH
Brickie’s tool cut opening in concrete in silence (6) [CUT + (C)oncrete] inside SH
5 CATERER
Nurse taking tea discounted by a food provider (7) CARER outside (TEA minus A)
10 RERUN
Turner, losing time, reviewed old program? (5) Anagram of TURNER minus T
11 REALIGNED
Was king, accepting all, largely straightened out? (9) REIGNED outside (AL)l
12 UNLEADED PETROL
Escort, garaged by elder, put on refined fuel (8,6) LEAD inside anagram of ELDER PUT ON
13 DUAL
Sing the praises of retired twin (4) LAUD reversed
14 INFERNAL
In plant, a learner is extremely annoying (8) IN + FERN + A + L
18 DETERRED
Discouraged detective made a mistake (8) DET + ERRED
20 BOOM
Pick up big pole attached to sail (4) Double Definition
24 SERVICE STATION
Car’s final defects handled by group at one working garage (7,7) [ca(R) + VICES] inside SET + AT + I + ON
26 TEST DRIVE
Shot played against international bowler’s spin? (4,5) Double Definition
27 STINT
Period pieces collected by Justin Trudeau (5) juSTIN Trudeau
28 DUNEDIN
A pile of sand moved finally in NZ port (7) DUNE + move(D) + IN
29 LINKED
Last part of manual written with pen should be attached (6) manua(L) + INKED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 COROLLA
Company applied to register a floral envelope (7) CO + ROLL + A
3 TONGAN
BBQ tool mostly used by an islander (6) (TONG)s + AN
4 HARDEN
Reinforce a road cutting through layer (6) (A + RD) inside HEN
5 CLAPPING
Championship’s leader, running around, is acknowledging a good performance (8) (C)hampionship + LAPPING
6 THIRTEEN
Right golf equipment needed entering narrow hole possibly (8) (R + TEE) inside THIN
7 RANGOON
Old Asian capital managed to move forward (7) RAN + GO ON
8 RIDE
Travel papers shown in middle of arrest (4) ID inside ar(RE)st
9 GROUNDED
Crushed journalist is suspended from usual activity (8) GROUND + ED
15 LAMINATE
Cover a minister put in at the last second (8) (A + MIN) inside LATE
16 PROVIDED
Demonstrated carrying identification supplied (8) PROVED outside ID
17 REACTION
Oxygen needed in varying certain laboratory process (8) O inside anagram of CERTAIN
19 TREASON
Pay for, not totally, son’s act of betrayal (7) (TREA)t + SON
21 OLIVINE
Rock violin redesigned by ELO’s original member (7) Anagram of VIOLIN + (E)lo
22 AS WELL
To boot a balloon (2,4) A + SWELL
23 PARSON
Minister’s unlawful firing after opening of parliament (6) ARSON after (P)arliament
25 STUD
Colt producer curtailed research (4) STUD(y)

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 20/9/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (13/9/2025) 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.
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 clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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 clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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 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 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 loss of one letter at the start or end of a word or string of letters.

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

The 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.
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AFR Cryptic (13/9/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STAND OUT
Be prominent and consumed by alcohol (5,3) AND inside STOUT
5 STEERS
Small trees distracted some in herd (6) S + anagram of TREES
9 ENGLAND
A glen transformed heart of blandish country (7) Anagram of A GLEN + bla(ND)ish
10 CAPITAL
Main type of bread eaten by calf mostly (7) PITA inside (CAL)f
11 CORAL TROUT
Food fish left covered in diced carrot completely (5,5) L inside anagram of CARROT + OUT
12 ENVY
Be jealous of diplomatic agent losing out on love (4) ENVOY minus O
14 EPHESIANS
Wandering sheep is speared by an ancient people (9) Anagram of SHEEP IS outside AN
16 EDIT
Rewrite characters in capitalised italics (4) capitalisED ITalics
18 PAIN
One of the family in agony (4) PA + IN
19 ROCK OPERA
Crook worked with agent backing a modern musical (4,5) Anagram of CROOK + (REP reversed) + A
21 PIDE
Dish containing one slice of dry Turkish bread (4) PIE outside (D)ry
22 PAIN-KILLER
A dye not rightly slipped into person’s analgesic (4-6) (A + INK + ILL) inside PER
25 CREVICE
Opening chapter on corruption (7) C + RE + VICE
26 RAT RACE
Creative work held back by people’s hectic routine (3,4) (ART reversed) inside RACE
27 DISNEY
Film producer’s cast freed from organised syndicates (6) Anagram of SYNDICATES minus CAST
28 BLOCKERS
They check opening of big storage units (8) (B)ig + LOCKERS
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SKETCHED
Formed a picture of boat mostly kept in storage (8) (KETC)h inside SHED
2 AUGUR
Divine gold flooring in retreat (5) AU + (RUG reversed)
3 DEADLY SINS
Unforgivable acts sadly damaged one involved in studies (6,4) (anagram of SADLY + I) inside DENS
4 UNDERCARRIAGE
One involved in cure arranged different supporting framework (13) I inside anagram of CURE ARRANGED
6 TIPS
Lists bits of information that could be helpful (4) Double Definition
7 EXTENSIVE
Huge event is organised behind the back of old friend (9) Anagram of EVENT IS after EX
8 SPLAYS
Spreads out activity in middle of lesson (6) PLAY inside le(SS)on
10 CRUISE CONTROL
Clerics on tour maligned Governor (6,7) Anagram of CLERICS ON TOUR
13 HEDONISTIC
Self-indulgent Mafia boss, one bound by strange ethics (10) (DON + I) inside anagram of ETHICS
15 HEADDRESS
Crown, say, male before speech (9) HE + ADDRESS
17 HARRIERS
Hawks hunting dogs (8) DOuble Definition
20 SPACED
Measure in standard deviation is positioned at intervals (6) PACE inside SD
23 LEASE
Landlord’s offering large facility (5) L + EASE
24 LIFE
Field greatly changing human affairs (4) Anagram of (FIEL)d

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 13/9/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (6/9/2025) 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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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AFR Cryptic (6/9/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BOTTLEBRUSH
Botanical region brought back grass – an Australian native (11) BOT + (BELT reversed) + RUSH
9 HERRING
Hotel messing up fish (7) H + ERRING
10 SUBSIDE
Replacement’s idea not backed by a moderate (7) SUBS + (IDEA minus A)
11 EVENSONG
Regular family member connected with head of Greek church service (8) EVEN + SON + (G)reek
12 JAMIES
Nightwear that is wedged in tight spots (6) IE inside JAMS
14 SIDE
Team selection of professionals ideally (4) professionalS IDEally
15 BEFRIENDED
Brief shuffled over and helped (10) Anagram of BRIEF + ENDED
18 PARAPHRASE
Expected rash developed in ape, say, in a different way (10) PAR + (anagram of RASH inside APE)
19 OPAL
New hospital not built with this stone (4) Anagram of HOSPITAL minus THIS
22 ABSORB
Stomach muscles, struck with ball, pull in (6) ABS + ORB
24 SHOOTING
Frightening cry can start to generate gunfire (8) SHOO + TIN + (G)enerate
26 EPISODE
Incident is linked to verse at end of recording (7) (IS + ODE) after EP
27 TWO PAIR
Reasonable hand was primarily featured in top broadcast (3,4) (W)as inside (TOP + AIR)
28 DISENTANGLE
Resolve is needed in depression – a point of view (11) (IS inside DENT) + ANGLE
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BARTENDER
Local worker’s ingenuity demonstrated in drinking spree (9) ART inside BENDER
2 THIRST
Drought this time broken by end of September (6) (THIS + T) outside septembe(R)
3 LOGANBERRY
Fruit began in poor condition inside truck (10) Anagram of BEGAN inside LORRY
4 BUSY
Long ride back to city is tiring (4) BUS + cit(Y)
5 UNBEATEN
Bun, cooked and consumed, is second to none (8) Anagram of BUN + EATEN
6 HAITI
Country that’s content with one backing IT? (5) t(HA)t + I + (IT reversed)
7 CHEERS
All the best Roman drivers avoiding a riot (6) CHARIOTEERS minus (A + RIOT)
8 TEASED
Dinner parties given by senior journalist wound up (6) TEAS + ED
13 BRUSCHETTA
Clarified butter has set on outside of cold Italian dish (10) Anagram of BUTTER HAS outside C
16 DUPLICATE
Facsimile finished in strange dialect (9) UP inside anagram of DIALECT
17 SPURIOUS
Forged acknowledgement of debt received by London soccer club (8) IOU inside SPURS
18 PLACED
Ranked leader of platoon backed transfer (6) (P)latoon + (DECAL reversed)
20 LAGERS
Royal tipped over first of several drinks (6) REGAL reversed + (S)everal
21 BOGONG
Marshy area providing shelter for nearly extinct Australian moth (6) BOG outside (GON)e
23 SHIED
Tossed one in outhouse (5) I inside SHED
25 TERN
Sea-bird’s offspring spotted in winter nest? (4) winTER Nest

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 6/9/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (30/8/2025) 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 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 removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

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

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