Solving time: 32:36 – a similar time to last week, but I didn’t feel as happy with this one. I feel I made heavier weather of what should have been a more straightforward puzzle.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | MAN FRIDAYS – I think this is just a cryptic definition, unless there’s some deeper wordplay that I haven’t seen. |
| 7 | GASH – dd. I didn’t know the ‘extra’ meaning, but the dictionary lists it as ‘slang – surplus to requirements’. |
| 9 | GRADIENT = (GARDEN + IT)* |
| 10 | A + D(A + GI)O |
| 11 | TIPCAT = ((P + I) in TACT) rev |
| 13 | OPERATOR = (POOR RATE)* |
| 14 | TH(O)ROUGH + FARE |
| 17 | ORCHESTRA PIT = (RPO + THEATRICS)* – semi-&lit |
| 20 | B + E + LABOUR |
| 21 | PRES |
| 22 | MO + DISH |
| 23 | TEENAGER = (GENERATE)* – another semi-&lit |
| 25 | REIN = “RAIN” |
| 26 | DAM + ASK + ROSE |
| Down | |
| 2 | AIR + TIGHT |
| 3 | FED – An informal name for the U.S. Federal Reserve |
| 4 | INEPT = PEN rev in IT |
| 5 | ANTIOCH = (NO AITCH)* – yet another semi-&lit, this one’s rather neat. |
| 6 | SPARE PART = (APPEARS)* + RT |
| 7 | GOAL + AVERAGE |
| 8 | SLIP-ON = NO PILS all rev |
| 12 | CORPORATION – dd, an old chestnut |
| 15 | UNCLOTHED = (TO LUNCH)* + ED |
| 16 | LISTLESS – dd |
| 18 | ERRATUM = MUTE about (A + RR) all rev |
| 19 | BEG + ONE |
| 21 | PREYS = “PRAISE” |
| 24 | AY + R |
I wondered if the plural at 1ac might more correctly have been MEN FRIDAY but Chambers confirms the setter’s version as definitive.