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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AFR Cryptic (30/8/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 TOT UP
Add to sheep on a farm (3,2) TO + TUP
4 REST ROOM
Public facility remains secure in retreat (4,4) REST + (MOOR reversed)
10 SELF-OPINIONATED
Arrogant one said “open lift” in a resort (4-11) Anagram of ONE SAID OPEN LIFT
11 ELASTICS
Graduate’s final class – it redesigned a children’s game (8) graduat(E) + anagram of CLASS IT
12 MEXICO
Male sporting team based in green part of North America (6) M + (XI inside ECO)
14 TENSOR
Ingredients worked in to soften sore muscle? (6) sofTEN SORe
15 RUSHERS
Country’s announced those likely to race (7) Sounds like RUSSIAS
18 ADO
A complete song and dance (3) A + DO
19 PRESENT
Hand over identification pinched from Trump, say (7) PRESIDENT minus ID
21 TURKEY
Bird track heading west maintained by guide (6) RUT reversed + KEY
24 ELDERS
They could be quite old trees (6) Double Definition
26 CURATIVE
Arch with a titanium implant is healing (8) CURVE outside (A + TI)
28 CORPORATE CLIENT
Big customer arranged poor recital in Australian capital (9,6) Anagram of POOR RECITAL inside CENT
29 TREASURY
A user hacked in to check out Government department (8) Anagram of A USER inside TRY
30 TITLE
Name of a book – it plays a part in tale (5) T(A/IT)LE
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 TASTER
State nobbled right person in charge of testing (6) Anagram of STATE + R
2 TILLAGE
Cultivated land left by convict in bond (7) (L + LAG) inside TIE
3 POOR TASTE
Lack of cultivation damaged root in area of gum (4,5) Anagram of ROOT inside PASTE
5 EMIT
News magazine raised issue (4) TIME reversed
6 TINGE
Samples of paint in general colour? (5) painT IN GEneral
7 OUTSIDE
Remote studio broadcast programme’s last instalment (7) Anagram of STUDIO + programm(E)
8 MADHOUSE
Extremely disorganised place had patched in computer equipment (8) Anagram of HAD inside MOUSE
9 PIECE RATE
A receipt incorrectly stated employee’s initial payment based on production (5,4) Anagram of A RECEIPT + (E)mployee
13 PROTRUDED
First to turn vulgar, in poker, stuck out (9) [(T)urn + RUDE] inside PROD
16 STREAMLET
A small amount of water, perhaps, in passage? (9) (A + ML) inside STREET
17 UPPERCUT
Evening meal not starting with prune punch (8) (s)UPPER + CUT
20 ENDORSE
Finish on horse tossing head back (7) END + (h)ORSE
22 EMINENT
Renowned enterprise’s closing mine on border of Northern Territory (7) enterpris(E) + MINE + NT
23 PESTLE
Sort of steel adding finish to power grinder (6) Anagram of STEEL after P
25 ROOTS
Time taken by members of mob and underground network (5) T inside ROOS
27 FAIR
Just light (4) Double Definition

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 30/8/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (23/8/2025) 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.












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.
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.
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 (23/8/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 HEROISM
Boldness is shown in her room regularly (7) IS inside [HER + r(O)o(M)]
5 TAMING
Minister, wearing identification, is breaking in (6) MIN inside TAG
9 BASIL
Ingredient of pesto as listed in incomplete invoice (5) AS inside BIL(l)
10 DECORATOR
Interior designer last month briefly hooked up with speaker (9) DEC + ORATOR
11 LANDMARK
Feature with Bond’s boss involved in carefree adventure (8) (AND + M) inside LARK
12 CHIP IN
Awful physician not needing, say, to make a contribution (4,2) Anagram of PHYSICIAN minus SAY
14 UNCONTROLLABLE
Furious relative checking on bill containing bread (14) UNCLE outside [ON + (TAB outside ROLL)]
16 BREAD-AND-BUTTER
Bad burn treated with new preparation that’s practical (5-3-6) Anagram of BAD BURN TREATED
20 RAMBLE
Start to run, walk and meander (6) (R)un + AMBLE
22 DETRITUS
Nothing exported from Detroit, America, remains (8) DETROIT minus O + US
24 ANDROMEDA
An Italian city, featured in supplement, brought back a bunch of stars (9) AN + [ROME inside (ADD reversed)]
25 NAIVE
Innocent local not taking time (5) NATIVE minus T
26 NEEDED
Required leader not used by one editor repeatedly (6) (o)NE + (ED + ED)
27 SLOGGED
Far side of woods, stripped of trees, is hit hard (7) wood(S) + LOGGED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 HOBBLE
Bees, heard inside cavity, make progress with difficulty (6) Sounds like BB inside HOLE
2 RESONANCE
Vibrancy on a screen varied (9) Anagram of ON A SCREEN
3 IN LIMBO
One vote against accepting member is pending (2,5) I + (NO outside LIMB)
4 MODERATING
Demo arranged before lecture is becoming less violent (10) Anagram of DEMO + RATING
5 TACT
Time to do something with diplomacy (4) T + ACT
6 MARSHAL
Damages assessed by hospital and a large group (7) MARS + H + A + L
7 NOT UP
Tennis umpire’s call is presented the wrong way (3,2) (PUT ON) reversed
8 ORANGE
Fruit variety available after opening of orchard (6) RANGE after (O)rchard
13 DOUBLE BASS
B&B, say, managed by one foolish musician? (6,4) B twice (DOUBLE B) + ASS
15 BREATHING
Bear savaged by creature is alive (9) Anagram of BEAR + THING
16 BUREAU
Holiday unit with gold furniture (6) BURE + AU
17 DELTOID
Was first up to identify shoulder muscle (7) LED reversed + TO + ID
18 TORONTO
Excerpt from narrator on touring part of Canada (7) narraTOR ON TOuring
19 ASCEND
Climb, for instance, face of cliff with wind up (6) AS + (C)liff + END
21 MIDGE
Grey mounted grey, oddly, with bug (5) DIM reversed + (G)r(E)y
23 LEND
Advance left on purpose (4) L + END

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 23/8/2025, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (16/8/2025) 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.
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.
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 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.

A word or phrase that defines the answer. All cryptic clues usually have a minimum of one definition which will be located at the beginning or end of the clue.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

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

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AFR Cryptic (16/8/2025) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PIRACY
Private investigator linked to spirited theft (6) PI + RACY
4 BRISTLED
Prickly Englishman, crossing second, was in front (8) (BRIT outside S) + LED
9 RETRIAL
Trio not fully represented in legitimate court action (7) (TRI)o inside REAL
11 CANASTA
Call off all but the last part of a stag’s card game (7) CAN + A + STA(g)
12 MANUFACTURING
Wild African gumnut? That’s fabrication (13) Anagram of AFRICAN GUMNUT
14 THE RAM
A bit of bother – a motorway sign (3,3) boTHER A Motorway
15 REAPPEAR
Come back to harvest fruit (8) REAP + PEAR
18 RUMINANT
Meditative spirit in one loyal to the Queen (8) RUN + IN + ANT
20 ANTRUM
Ant coming in contact with strange cavity (6) ANT + RUM
23 SOCKEYE SALMON
Fish definitely included in cook’s meal upset one’s gut? (7,6) YES inside anagram of COOKS MEAL + o(N)e
26 EMANATE
Celebrity turned and put away issue (7) NAME reversed + ATE
27 TORNADO
Cooked tandoori mostly produced a great deal of wind (7) Anagram of (TANDOOR)i
28 PLEASURE
Earnest appeal guaranteed satisfaction (8) PLEA + SURE
29 SMUTTY
Dirty dog found in vacated shanty? (6) MUTT inside S(hant)Y
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PARAMETERS
Knock back newfangled steamer with limiting factors (10) RAP reversed + anagram of STEAMER
2 RETINUE
Tenants of home unit errantly sent back suite (7) homE UNIT ERrantly reversed
3 CHIEFTAIN
Tribal leader that is held by feet bound by chain (9) (IE + FT) inside CHAIN
5 RECOUPED
Recovered motor car painted in a bright colour (8) COUPE inside RED
6 SINAI
Egyptian destination some pass in Airbus (5) pasS IN AIrbus
7 LASAGNE
Dip, in a small way, is food (7) SAG inside LANE
8 DEAD
Pop round drug, not feeling anything (4) DAD outside E
10 LACE
Expert behind large network (4) ACE after L
13 PROMONTORY
Head for hill in New York after short time (10) PRO + [(TOR inside NY) after MO]
16 PENTAGRAM
Fold label printed with animal symbol that’s magical (9) PEN + TAG + RAM
17 INNER EAR
Winner not bound to bring up something needed for audition? (5,3) w)INNE(r + REAR
19 MASSAGE
Mother’s learned manipulation (7) MAS + SAGE
21 RAMPANT
A parliamentarian involved in angry tirade is uncontrollable (7) (A + MP) inside RANT
22 BEAT
Attend a course run regularly (4) BE AT
24 CHAOS
Carbon and oxygen, separating, experiences disorder (5) C + (O inside HAS)
25 TEMP
Worker sometimes contacted retired coppers at the centre (4) MET reversed + cop(P)ers

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