Cryptic crossword No 2,972
Tue 23 Dec 2025, set byPlatypus
Special Instructions: 17 different setters (credited in the annotated solutions) have created clues for this puzzle, and a hidden message follows 7d, 18d for the most part. Enjoy!
Across
- Given that USA's in disarray, head for Canadian hotel (2,4)
- Stuff worn by electronic rock supergroup (5)
- Upset - no time for sweet treat (6)
- Earthly mortals’ beginning, really young organisms, small initially (7)
- Hammer thrower's throwing not half bad (4)
- Partners wear tops to the yearly naturist exhibition (4)
- Slender beneficiary's reportedly nowhere? (4,3)
- Instagram, for one, taken over by vacuous holiday content (5)
- Providing weapons to suppress the French is dreadful (8)
- Is paid, we hear, after special project initially -- doesn't want it! (6)
- Scandi noir with Daniel Craig originally cast (6)
- How something appears broken by time, like Englebert Humperdinck? (8)
- British island terrier nicked Italian treats (8)
- Grateful setter first appeared, nary a hint of uneasiness, with Martin at last (8)
- Japanese dish (keep quiet about American one) (5)
Down
- Flash socialist turns up in play periodically in contemporary fashion (8)
- Should you munch something besides Len’s nuts? (10)
- Last bits of mixed herb stuffing to go inside turkey (5)
- Anxious lead in Iolanthe chewed up THC gummy at last (5)
- Dirty mole rat put in lube? (10)
- Female and male sheep are raised here (4)
- Clobber strongman regularly (4)
- Initially, clue type rarely put into crosswords. Yes, weird!? (7)
- Talks about king turning up, say (4)
- Frank's not home, periodically going for cornet (3-5)
- Brainbox bound to speak with university lecturers (5)
- Candytuft is submerged by Italian river with the passing of time (6)
- Guinevere has homemade sandwiches to use up the leftovers (6)
- Crossword includes Bob from America (4)
- Discuss deleting odd elements behind my first couple of statistics to generate predictors (7)
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