Vlad’s past being ideal

Archive answer — July 17, 2026

24 Down

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Clue explained

“IMAGO” is the published 5-letter fill for 24 Down. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

Guardian Cryptic Crossword

This clue’s Friday, July 17, 2026 appearance

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Crossword solution grid

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Across

14 clues
  1. 1Threat to informer?
  2. 9Throw back nameless catch at sea
  3. 10Withdraw having committed a further offence as reported
  4. 11Newton going, ‘You shouldn’t point!’
  5. 12Previously keeping flashy eroticist very happy
  6. 13Mainly competent rating
  7. 15Knocked back the drink (over a gallon) for some considerable time
  8. 18Coming back discontented, negotiates very low price, a bargain
  9. 20US comedian put away for drugs in decline
  10. 23Loudly complain after sailors originally aboard leave port?
  11. 25Take main road around valley
  12. 26Neither partner recalled mentioning bread lines
  13. 27Flavouring from America is in demand
  14. 28What Telford had a lot of to attract Romeo – sex

Down

16 clues
  1. 1Youth is speaking about another: ‘Dickhead!’
  2. 2B-list occasionally spoken about is going round
  3. 3Singer Tom with suite trashed
  4. 4I get emotional about returning to London’s original theatre
  5. 5Long for a drink?
  6. 6Turn left, perhaps, after park entrance – positive?
  7. 7Complaining in bar
  8. 8Forces serviceman, might you say?
  9. 14Hit wicket – AUS 1 down (spinner finally bowled over)
  10. 16Synonyms to begin with: fly, go off, make a run for it
  11. 17Call service engineers initially for correction
  12. 19Less sensible son gets involved making little difference
  13. 21Current Republican leading on the surface is a moron
  14. 22A green revolution of sorts
  15. 23Make editor ultimately responsible for such columns
  16. 24Vlad’s past being idealIMAGO

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 1. Threat to informer?

    Answer: SHOPTILLYOUDROP

  2. 9. Throw back nameless catch at sea

    Answer: LOBSTER

  3. 10. Withdraw having committed a further offence as reported

    Answer: RESCIND

  4. 11. Newton going, ‘You shouldn’t point!’

    Answer: DOT

  5. 12. Previously keeping flashy eroticist very happy

    Answer: ONCLOUDNINE

  6. 13. Mainly competent rating

    Answer: ABLESEAMAN

  7. 15. Knocked back the drink (over a gallon) for some considerable time

    Answer: AGES

  8. 18. Coming back discontented, negotiates very low price, a bargain

    Answer: SNIP

  9. 20. US comedian put away for drugs in decline

    Answer: DEGENERATE

  10. 23. Loudly complain after sailors originally aboard leave port?

    Answer: DESSERTWINE

  11. 25. Take main road around valley

    Answer: RIA

  12. 26. Neither partner recalled mentioning bread lines

    Answer: RONDEAU

  13. 27. Flavouring from America is in demand

    Answer: ANISEED

  14. 28. What Telford had a lot of to attract Romeo – sex

    Answer: CARNALKNOWLEDGE

Down

  1. 1. Youth is speaking about another: ‘Dickhead!’

    Answer: SALADDAYS

  2. 2. B-list occasionally spoken about is going round

    Answer: ORBITAL

  3. 3. Singer Tom with suite trashed

    Answer: TITMOUSE

  4. 4. I get emotional about returning to London’s original theatre

    Answer: LYRIC

  5. 5. Long for a drink?

    Answer: YARDOFALE

  6. 6. Turn left, perhaps, after park entrance – positive?

    Answer: UPSIDE

  7. 7. Complaining in bar

    Answer: RAILING

  8. 8. Forces serviceman, might you say?

    Answer: PADRE

  9. 14. Hit wicket – AUS 1 down (spinner finally bowled over)

    Answer: AWESTRUCK

  10. 16. Synonyms to begin with: fly, go off, make a run for it

    Answer: SKEDADDLE

  11. 17. Call service engineers initially for correction

    Answer: REMEDIAL

  12. 19. Less sensible son gets involved making little difference

    Answer: INSANER

  13. 21. Current Republican leading on the surface is a moron

    Answer: AIRHEAD

  14. 22. A green revolution of sorts

    Answer: GENERA

  15. 23. Make editor ultimately responsible for such columns

    Answer: DORIC

  16. 24. Vlad’s past being ideal

    Answer: IMAGO

The answer to “Vlad’s past being ideal” in the Guardian Cryptic Crossword is IMAGO — a 5-letter word. It appears in our available data for July 17, 2026 at 24-Down. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“Vlad’s past being ideal” answer

IMAGO(5 letters)

Prefer a nudge first? Use the letter tiles above to hide and reveal individual characters, or use the focused grid to confirm the crossing letters.

Why does IMAGO fit?

IMAGO is the published 5-letter answer at 24-Down. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “Vlad’s past being ideal” appeared?

The same clue can return on another date, sometimes with a different fill. These are the matching appearances in the recent published records available through the Answers API.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Vlad’s past being ideal”?

The answer is IMAGO.

How many letters are in the answer?

5 letters: IMAGO.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the Guardian Cryptic Crossword for July 17, 2026 at 24-Down.

Can this clue have a different answer?

Yes. Crossword clues may be reused with a different fill depending on the grid. Recent matching appearances are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day’s answers?

Open the Guardian Cryptic answers page for July 17, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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