Drive off composer

Archive answer — July 25, 2026

7 Across

Scroll down for the rest of the crossword answers

Clue explained

“VERDI” is the published 5-letter fill for 7 Across. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword

This clue’s Saturday, July 25, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal or hide a letter.

Crossword solution grid

Select a square to hide or reveal its letter in the 11 by 11 crossword grid.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

11 clues
  1. 1Spy moving centre stage
  2. 7Drive off composerVERDI
  3. 8He drinks and is a bit blotto, perhaps
  4. 9Space around heath
  5. 11Advanced, specialist component of White Christmas
  6. 13Backing graduates, an Uncle from USA
  7. 14Lives with duke by cathedral
  8. 15Lives – again – on river
  9. 17Attack’s concerning where filming takes place
  10. 18Composition taken from Penelope Radcliffe
  11. 20Battle spear damaged piece of armour

Down

13 clues
  1. 1Deserve, injured and cut
  2. 2Some discarded vehicle
  3. 3The hour is up – give out
  4. 4Martin out in NI county
  5. 5Train former journalists
  6. 6One of the high points in history
  7. 10Supervise, when finished with bishop’s office
  8. 11Possesses some purchases
  9. 12One’s been taken to house with platform
  10. 13Flapping tassel on tiles
  11. 16Croquet arch Piglet’s friend flipped over
  12. 17Part of the regalia small brother overturned
  13. 19Greek letter and a note turned up

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. Spy moving centre stage

    Answer: SECRETAGENT

  2. 7. Drive off composer

    Answer: VERDI

  3. 8. He drinks and is a bit blotto, perhaps

    Answer: TOPER

  4. 9. Space around heath

    Answer: ROOM

  5. 11. Advanced, specialist component of White Christmas

    Answer: HITECH

  6. 13. Backing graduates, an Uncle from USA

    Answer: SAM

  7. 14. Lives with duke by cathedral

    Answer: DWELLS

  8. 15. Lives – again – on river

    Answer: ISIS

  9. 17. Attack’s concerning where filming takes place

    Answer: ONSET

  10. 18. Composition taken from Penelope Radcliffe

    Answer: OPERA

  11. 20. Battle spear damaged piece of armour

    Answer: BREASTPLATE

Down

  1. 1. Deserve, injured and cut

    Answer: SEVERED

  2. 2. Some discarded vehicle

    Answer: CAR

  3. 3. The hour is up – give out

    Answer: EMIT

  4. 4. Martin out in NI county

    Answer: ANTRIM

  5. 5. Train former journalists

    Answer: EXPRESS

  6. 6. One of the high points in history

    Answer: TOR

  7. 10. Supervise, when finished with bishop’s office

    Answer: OVERSEE

  8. 11. Possesses some purchases

    Answer: HAS

  9. 12. One’s been taken to house with platform

    Answer: HOSTAGE

  10. 13. Flapping tassel on tiles

    Answer: SLATES

  11. 16. Croquet arch Piglet’s friend flipped over

    Answer: HOOP

  12. 17. Part of the regalia small brother overturned

    Answer: ORB

  13. 19. Greek letter and a note turned up

    Answer: ETA

The answer to “Drive off composer” in the Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword is VERDI — a 5-letter word. It appears in our available data for July 25, 2026 at 7-Across. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“Drive off composer” answer

VERDI(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 VERDI fit?

VERDI is the published 5-letter answer at 7-Across. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “Drive off composer” 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 “Drive off composer”?

The answer is VERDI.

How many letters are in the answer?

5 letters: VERDI.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword for July 25, 2026 at 7-Across.

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 Quick Cryptic answers page for July 25, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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