Guardian Cryptic Crossword #4025

Guardian Cryptic · 28 clues with answers and explanations · 2023-12-10

Explanations sourced from Fifteensquared

1 Highest in command initially skirts the issues (6)

Def

issues

Type

Charade

Expl

TOP (synonym="Highest") + I (first_letter="in") + C (first_letter="command") + S (first_letter="skirts") = TOPICS; definition: "issues"

Answer

TOPICS
4 Set point – fantastic – let's pick up the pace (4,2,2)

Type

Anagram

Expl

anagram of SET + POINT = STEPONIT

Answer

STEPONIT
9 Clergyman rejected nonsense by idiot (6)

Def

Clergyman

Type

Charade, Reversal

Expl

ROT (synonym of "nonsense") + SAP (synonym of "idiot") [reversal: "rejected"]; definition: "Clergyman"

Answer

PASTOR
10 Taunt accepted by Dad in France, English being distinguished (8)

Answer

PEDIGREE
12 No, I engendered flipping contempt (8)

Answer

DERISION
13 Sleep with partners in largish numbers (6)

Def

numbers

Answer

DOZENS
15 Refuse to camp: hope for resort and welcoming spa at the outset (7,4)

Answer

COMPOSTHEAP
18 Delivering while almost asleep (8,3)

Answer

DROPPINGOFF
21 More painful part of stomach, i.e. reticulum (6)

Type

Hidden word

Expl

hidden in "stomach, i.e. reticulum"

Answer

ACHIER
22 When irritated, interfere after rector's left one of the Canaries (8)

Answer

TENERIFE
24 Something African National Congress tabled in opposing Nationalists, primarily? (8)

Answer

SANCTION
25 Punctilious Detective Inspector leaves area (6)

Def

area

Answer

STRICT
26 Fantastic Island that can be seen in comics (8)

Answer

SUPERMAN
27 In the East End, he got up and wiped out? (6)

Def

out?

Answer

ERASED

1 Audio kit packeted ham-fistedly (4,4)

Type

Anagram

Expl

anagram of PACKETED = TAPEDECK

Answer

TAPEDECK
2 Kind of tense, drive over island for meat (8)

Def

Kind

Type

Charade

Expl

PAST (synonym="tense,") + RAM (synonym="drive") + I (abbreviation="island") = PASTRAMI; definition: "meat"

Answer

PASTRAMI
3 Everyman, perhaps mad, drew otters dancing (9,6)

Answer

CROSSWORDSETTER
5 Even movement of the ocean reported (4)

Def

Even

Answer

TIED
6 Carton half open, reptiles scurrying: nasty thing to receive in the mail (6-3,6)

Answer

POISONPENLETTER
7 Drinks slowly in harbours (6)

Answer

NURSES
8 The Ivy's serving tripe – but only starters, I believe (6)

Def

believe

Answer

THEIST
11 Loading area in which you might go bust (7)

Answer

PONTOON
14 Parts of beans that are used for worship (7)

Def

worship

Answer

TEMPLES
16 Institute enshrined in the law finally validates insurance documents (8)

Answer

POLICIES
17 Got to camp (8)

Def

camp

Type

Charade

Expl

AFFECTED (synonym of "camp"); definition: "Got to"

Answer

AFFECTED
19 Cowboys use these in Dallas so sparingly (6)

Type

Hidden word

Expl

hidden in "Dallas so sparingly"

Answer

LASSOS
20 Exercise in the gym? Don't look so sad (4-2)

Def

Exercise

Answer

CHINUP
23 Up to now, Romeo not seen in comfy spot (4)

Def

Up to

Answer

SOFA