Cryptic Stuff

[not_for_sale2025]

While it was done some years ago I see, I thought I would try a cryptic crossword-like thread for fun and to try and boost a little more interest here. I made up the below question for anyone interested in such a challenge. I thought the first person to get it correct might come up with the next question. A clue though - if you copy one from a newspaper or magazine etc., the answer can often be found on the internet. I can explain the answer for anyone who asks. 🙂

The prisoner at the cave would not stand for the electrically charged droplets of water.

(12 letters)

[countessalmirena]

I was thinking of keen (verb) … where keening is a long tone… 🤭 Happily it worked out nonetheless.

Anyway, on with the show!.

Tough! It scuttles backwards to a nightingale, by junkets with black stripes (7)

[not_for_sale2025]

Stringy....

[countessalmirena]

No, it’s not stringy.

Tough! It scuttles backwards to a nightingale, by junkets with black stripes (7)

_ a _ _ _ _ _

Charade, reversal indicator, charade

Innocent comment: I love poetry.

[not_for_sale2025]

Bacchus...

[countessalmirena]

Not Bacchus.

Tough! It scuttles backwards to a nightingale, by junkets with black stripes (7)

_ a _ _ _ _ e

Charade (to be reversed), charade (knowledge of poetry useful here)

[not_for_sale2025]

Barcode....

[countessalmirena]

Yes, you have cornered it, nfs.

Tough! It scuttles backwards to a nightingale, by junkets with black stripes (7)

WORDPLAY

Tough! It scuttles [charade: crab]
backwards [reversal indicator] -> barc
to a nightingale, by junkets [charade: ode] (“Ode to a nightingale” is a famous poem by John Keats whose nickname was Junkets)

 … => barc+ode

WHOLE DEFINITION

with black stripes = barcode 

Over to you.

[not_for_sale2025]

Apparently, Eisenhower lost his leader, took the lead then was removed for being unsightly.

(9 letters)

[twyngwyn]

Whitewash?

[not_for_sale2025]

No, but one part is correct.