AFR Cryptic (6/12/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 HURTS
Inflicts injuries on regiment primarily occupying small buildings (5) (R)egiment inside HUTS
4 FLATTERED
Fine coffee and wine should be praised (9) F + LATTE + RED
9 DOUBLE CREAM
High-fat dairy product could be reviewed by paper? (6,5) Anagram of COULD BE + REAM
10 ABS
Muscles may be so evenly spaced (3) mAy Be So
11 EPILEPSY
Nervous disorder may be written down in records close to surgery (8) (PILE inside EPS) + surger(Y)
12 RENTER
Leaseholder’s right to go in (6) R + ENTER
14 OVER
Off-side fielder not starting a short bowling spell (4) (c)OVER
15 VERTEBRA
Green support for woman taking on head of experimental spinal unit (8) (VERT + BRA) outside (E)xperimental
18 SPRAINED
Injured spy almost fell down (8) SP(y) + RAINED
20 SAGO
Pudding ingredient, say, reduced vitality (4) SA(y) + GO
24 EARTHS
Grounds are prepared by one leaving this (6) Anagram of ARE + TH(i)S
25 SCREW-TOP
Type of bottle a group of workers sealed with plug (5-3) STOP outside CREW
27 ROT
Tripe and bread not finished (3) ROT(i)
28 BARBITURATE
Drug distributor that sells alcohol, organised a tribute (11) BAR + anagram of A TRIBUTE
29 PENETRATE
Trap rat in sewer waste with probe (9) (NET + RAT) inside PEE
30 NITRE
Contents of can – it really is saltpetre (5) caN IT REally
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 HEDGEROW
How about a garden tool used to trim a line of shrubs or trees? (8) HOW outside EDGER
2 ROUTINE
Way left open to retain batting order (7) ROUTE outside IN
3 SILVER
Money is rolled over and left very briefly (6) IS reversed + L + VER(y)
4 FACE-SAVING
Maintaining prestige, cafe mixed French wine in dip (4-6) Anagram of CAFE + (VIN inside SAG)
5 AXES
A male, say, recalled choppers (4) A + (SEX reversed)
6 TEMPERED
Hardened agent met retired journalist (8) (REP + MET) reversed + ED
7 REACTOR
Church leader harnessing a source of power, perhaps (7) RECTOR outside A
8 DESIRE
Fancy term used to address someone in abridged legal document (6) SIR inside DEE(d)
13 PRODUCTIVE
Conduit, one used in test, should be efficient (10) (DUCT + I) inside PROVE
16 BAD HABIT
Character flaw bishop had corrected slightly (3,5) B + anagram of HAD + A BIT
17 COMPLETE
Fill in parking permit in advance (8) (P + LET) inside COME
19 PURITAN
Fanatic turned up on rescheduled train (7) UP reversed + anagram of TRAIN
21 ATTRACT
Pull a pamphlet containing twaddle primarily (7) (A + TRACT) outside (T)waddle
22 BEER-UP
Be straight over for drinking party (4-2) BE + (PURE reversed)
23 TEA URN
Switch around each beverage supplier (3,3) TURN outside EA
26 PROA
Old hand seen on a Malay sailing boat (4) PRO + A

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 6/12/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (29/11/2025) 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 question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.

Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

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

The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
A 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 entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
A word or 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 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 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 turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

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

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AFR Cryptic (29/11/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DISGRACEFUL
Shocking cold caught by out-of-shape lifeguards (11) C inside anagram LIFEGUARDS
9 HOLDING
Mercury plugged by veteran in stocks and shares (7) HG outside (OLD + IN)
10 LIE-DOWN
Acted deceptively to have rest (3-4) LIED + OWN
11 LEGATE
Messenger, say, entering after the expected time (6) EG inside LATE
12 OBEDIENT
Dutiful and on time carrying last pass (8) (ON + T) outside (BE + DIE)
14 TUTE
Like being not part of intelligent university class (4) ASTUTE minus AS
15 STEAMSHIPS
They transported crews in wearing smalls? (10) (TEAMS + HIP) inside (S+S)
18 BODYSURFER
One who hopes to take a break lying down? (10) Cryptic Definition
19 BUFF
Smooth person who’s considered an expert (4) Double Definition
22 OUTRAGED
Angry members of tour scrambled over the hill (8) Anagram of TOUR + AGED
24 MAGNUM
A sort of gun owned by thousands? (6) (A anagram of GUN) inside (M+M)
26 DENMARK
Study target area in Europe of national importance (7) DEN + MARK
27 UGANDAN
Some bug and annoy a person from Africa (7) bUG AND ANnoy
28 OVER THE MOON
Open home arranged by one mostly extremely happy (4,3,4) OVERT + anagram of HOME + (ON)e
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DELIGHTED
Very happy person who stands out in act (9) LIGHT inside DEED
2 SHIFTY
Hydrogen, if stored in dump, may be resourceful (6) (H + IF) inside STY
3 RUGS
Refuges, waiving fee, distributed blankets (4) Anagram of REFUGES minus FEE
4 CALIBRATED
College’s leading character, a politician thought highly of, graduated (10) (C)ollege + A + LIB + RATED
5 FIENDISH
Monstrous marlin, say, possessing one purpose (8) FISH outside (I + END)
6 LOOSE
Local toilets are ultimately free (5) LOOS + ar(E)
7 THE LOT
Closing of restaurant by hotel ruined everything (3,3) restauran(T) + anagram of RUINED
8 UNITES
Centre section of launch site somehow comes together (6) la(UN)ch + anagram of SITE
13 STARTER-KIT
Big shot arranged trek with IT equipment crucial to initial success (7-3) STAR + anagram of TREK + IT
16 IGUANODON
Dinosaur droppings collected by one university fellow (9) GUANO inside (I + DON)
17 ESCAPADE
Risky venture unsettled space cadet inside borders? (8) Anagram of SPACE + c(ADE)t
18 BROODS
Boatman’s opening assorted doors and hatches (6) (B)oatman + anagram of DOORS
20 FOMENT
Promote development of the writer in script (6) ME inside FONT
21 HAS A GO
Tries a cereal introduced by hospital (3,1,2) (A + SAGO) after H
23 TANGO
Dance beat with oomph (5) TAN + GO
25 CUBE
Copper: “Live or die” (4) CU + BE

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 29/11/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (22/11/2025) 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 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 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.

There is only one part to this clue, a definition, and it's usually a play on words. There aren't any indicators.
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 where the WHOLE clue defines the answer, and the WHOLE clue also is the wordplay (a mechanism to derive the answer through various cryptic devices). "&lit" is short for "and literally".

To qualify as an &lit, a clue must have no unused components either in the definition or the wordplay - it must be readable one way as a definition, and another as the wordplay.

The answer is 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.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

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

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AFR Cryptic (22/11/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SAT-NAV
Guidance system positioned by reversing vehicle (3-3) SAT + (VAN reversed)
4 CLEAR-CUT
Copper infiltrating corrupt cartel is definite (5-3) CU inside anagram of CARTEL
9 COASTAL
A stone found coated in fossil fuel near the seaside (7) (A + ST) inside COAL
11 STEAMER
A midshipman’s first in to guide vessel (7) [A + (M)idshipman] inside STEER
12 DELIRIUM
Ecstasy one consumed in alcohol behind food store (8) (I inside RUM) after DELI
13 IDEALS
Island occupied with agreement’s ethics (6) IS outside DEAL
16 BREATHING SPACE
Each matter’s quietly handled by couple for rest (9,5) (EA + THINGS + P) inside BRACE
19 SENTIMENTALITY
Treacle shipped by one character (14) SENT + I + MENTALITY
21 ELEVEN
Team 12’s centre square? (6) tw(EL)ve + EVEN
22 INFANTRY
Group of soldiers in cooler put to the test (8) IN + FAN + TRY
25 SLIPS UP
Course taken by students in retreat goes wrong (5,2) S inside (PUPILS reversed)
27 TRUMPET
Instrument representative played in perfect time (7) MP inside TRUE + T
28 NEGATIVE
Hostile, for example, trapped in home (8) EG inside NATIVE
29 WEBCAM
A few of us redirected cab with minute computer monitor (6) WE + anagram of CAB + M
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SECEDE
Withdraw witness bagging criminal’s primary education (6) SEE outside [(C)riminal + ED]
2 TRAWL
Picked pieces of bait, raw liver, to catch fish (5) baiT RAW Liver
3 ALTERNATIVE
Change local’s choice (11) ALTER + NATIVE
5 LAST
Survive at the end (4) Double Definition
6 ALE
Occupants of local expected an alcoholic beverage (3) locAL Expected
7 COME APART
Break a score in golf sporting a heavenly body (4,5) (A + PAR) inside COMET
8 THRASHER
Flood accepted by the river bird (8) RASH inside THE + R
10 LAUGHTER
Butcher, starting late, expressed delight (8) (s)LAUGHTER
14 DISPLEASURE
Bent pedal is certainly a cause of irritation (11) Anagram of PEDAL IS + SURE
15 INSTINCT
Gut reaction isn’t recollected in court (8) Anagram of ISNT + IN + CT
17 RENDERING
Finish edges of exterior in enclosure’s coat of plaster (9) [END + (E)xterio(R)] inside RING
18 USHERS IN
Introduces drug dealer, ignoring pressure and offence (6,2) (PUSHER minus P) + SIN
20 SYSTEM
Procedure, say, without a check (6) SAY minus A + STEM
23 TOPIC
Detective in hospital bed recalled question (5) PI inside (COT reversed)
24 SPIV
Important people sent back idler (4) VIPS reversed
26 SET
Scheduled examination largely given backing (3) (TES)t reversed

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 22/11/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (15/11/2025) 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 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.
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.
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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AFR Cryptic (15/11/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 COCKTAIL
Fluffy duck, say, changed tack in wind (8) Anagram of TACK inside COIL
5 PSALMS
Pastor originally slams rewritten religious book (6) (P)astor + anagram of SLAMS
9 SEASONED
Hardened grain separated by a boy (8) SEED outside (A + SON)
10 BOUNCE
Oz after end of superb spring? (6) OUNCE after super(B)
12 OCKER
Australian musicians knowing no bounds (5) r)OCKER(s
13 PREVALENT
Stop carrying a large current (9) PREVENT outside (A + L)
14 ANTICIPATION
An excited optician, holding it, recalled prediction (12) AN + [anagram of OPTICIAN outside (IT reversed)]
17 ESCORT AGENCY
Carbon, factored into distribution of energy, cost a company supplier (6,6) C inside anagram of ENERGY COST A
22 STRANGLER
Murderer left in the custody of person unknown (9) L inside STRANGER
23 BRAKE
Check a place overgrown with bushes and shrubs (5) Double Definition
24 DODGEM
EV car company with capital from Musk (6) DODGE + (M)usk
25 OVERPASS
A highway? Possibly (8) Cryptic Definition
26 PUT OUT
Turned up to strongly recommend broadcast (3,3) UP reversed + TOUT
27 BRITTANY
European first to trounce any region of France (8) BRIT + (T)rounce + ANY
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 COSMOS
Business text about centre of known universe (6) CO + [SMS outside kn(O)wn]
2 CRANKY
It’s replaced by a number of taxis in city full of bends and turns (6) C(RANK for IT)Y
3 TWO IRON
One spotted in town or drunken club (3,4) I inside anagram of TOWN OR
4 INEXPLICABLE
At home, defective pixel displayed by pay TV is mystifying (12) IN + anagram of PIXEL + CABLE
6 STOMATA
Holes in leaves, say, largely covering pruned fruit plant (7) (SA)y outside TOMAT(o)
7 LINGERIE
Cover for one contemplating retirement that is available after delay (8) IE after LINGER
8 SHEETING
Metal covering that woman, say, inlaid with tin (8) SHE + (EG outside TIN)
11 DEVICE DRIVER
Computer program I’d received somehow containing origin of virus, right? (6,6) Anagram of ID RECEIVED outside (V)irus + R
15 MESSED UP
Seems deranged fool, not all there, made a mistake (6,2) Anagram of SEEMS + DUP(e)
16 ACCREDIT
Recognise rough cider served in one part of Australia (8) Anagram of CIDER inside ACT
18 RONDEAU
Creative work available in mixture of red and gold (7) ON inside anagram of RED + AU
19 CABARET
Court limiting a nude floor show (7) CT outside (A + BARE)
20 CANADA
Dismiss a lawyer in the US part of the world (6) CAN + A + DA
21 FEISTY
Spirited one locked in iron farm structure (6) I inside (FE + STY)

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 15/11/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (8/11/2025) 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.
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.
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 clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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AFR Cryptic (8/11/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 REPOSITORY
Store replaced rope, one featured in write-up (10) Anagram of ROPE + (I inside STORY)
6 SCUM
Problem about copyright matter that surfaces (4) SUM outside C
9 CARGO
Load vehicle and leave (5) CAR + GO
10 ESSENTIAL
Vital broadcast, one offered in tailored sale (9) (SENT + I) inside anagram of SALE
12 LANDLORD
A block letter, maybe? (8) Cryptic Definition
13 CHASTE
Decent swatch of fabric has texture? (6) fabriC HAS TExture
15 SCREE
Steep mass of rocks shortened long passage (5) SCREE(d)
16 STARLING
Famous fish and bird (8) STAR + LING
18 PRESENCE
Company’s resolution adopted in British capital (8) RES inside PENCE
20 STOUT
Tough, small plug (5) S + TOUT
23 RAN DRY
River located in hot environs ceased to flow (3,3) R inside RANDY
24 PARAKEET
A gardening tool swallowed by pet bird (8) (A + RAKE) inside PET
26 VIEWPOINT
Compete against power roped in to win revamped position (9) VIEW + P inside anagram of TO WIN
27 RANCH
Large farm looked after cows and heifers primarily (5) RAN + (C)ows + (H)eifers
28 REST
Take it easy, or not, in holiday centre (4) RESORT minus OR
29 REPRODUCED
Had young professional included in cut (10) PRO inside REDUCED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RECKLESS
Inattentive clerk messed up e-sales with alcohol discounted (8) Anagram of CLERK + (ESALES minus ALE)
2 PARTNER
Team-mate opening up after typical score (7) RENT reversed after PAR
3 SHOULDER STRAP
Baggage carrier should rest for a change before strike (8,5) SHOULD + anagram of REST + RAP
4 THEORISING
The head of OPEC group outside is speculating (10) THE + (O)pec + (RING outside IS)
5 ROSE
Shower fixture increased in price (4) Double Definition
7 CRIMSON
Crook family member is flushed (7) CRIM + SON
8 MALLET
Everybody inside gathered croquet equipment (6) ALL inside MET
11 NO HOLDS BARRED
Red Baron ordered around nine carriers without restraint or inhibition? (2,5,6) Anagram of RED BARON outside HOLDS
14 MALEFACTOR
Offender’s manly characteristic (10) MALE + FACTOR
17 STITCHED
Sewn shirt’s sleeves caused irritation? (8) (S)hir(T) + ITCHED
19 RINGERS
They call station hands (7) Double Definition
21 OCEANIC
Marine repaired canoe, one found by entrance to cove (7) Anagram of CANOE + I + (C)ove
22 DRIVER
Club or diamond, the last community card in poker (6) D + RIVER
25 NICE
Subtle part of the Bible deleted from notice (4) NOTICE minus OT

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 8/11/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (1/11/2025) 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.
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 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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