Jumbo 1023

A fair puzzle with a couple of unfamiliar words. 7D was my last one in as the checking letters did not suggest much – I left it blank initially until my subconscious came back to me with a solution, so I did not record a time.

Across
1 ZABAGLIONE – ZONE = place, around (GLIB, A(nswer), A(nswer))*
6 MERCHANDISES – MERC = posh car, H(ard), ANDES = range, around I’S = one’s
14 POSSESSED – POSSES = gangs, (u)SED = employed
15 APRON – A = article, PRON(e) = apt
16 AUCTION – ACTION = the done thing, around U(niversity)
17 A MEMORY LIKE A SIEVE – cryptic definition – SIEVE = riddle
18 OTTER – O’ER = above, poetically, TT = teetotal = on the water
19 TOPSIDE – double definition – the first defining TOP SIDE
21 GIMLET – hidden reversed in hoTEL MIGht
22 ALIZARIN – A LIZAR(d) = a monitor, IN = popular
24 NOMINAL – NOM = MON(day) reversed, IN AL(l) = altogether
26 SOLUTION – double definition
27 FINISH – FIN(n)ISH = European
30 REACH-ME-DOWN – REACH = make, ME = (the) setter, DOWN = unhappy. I have not found it yet but I am sure I have blogged this answer before!
32 CANDELABRUM – (AND A CRUMBLE)*
33 STORM PETREL – RM = room, PET = stroke in STORE = shop, L(arge)
35 WATERLOGGED – WA(i)TER = attendant, LOGGED = registered
37 deliberately omitted – please ask if unsure
38 MOSQUITO – S(mall), QUIT = pack in, in MOO = low
39 SHALLOW – SOW = plant, around HALL = lobby
42 deliberately omitted – please ask if unsure
44 DIM SUM – DIM = slow, SUM = to come to
46 POMFRET, – POM = little dog, FRET = gnaw at
48 COMBE – COMBE(d) = went through
49 UP HILL AND DOWN DALE – U = posh, PHIL = chap, LAND = estate, DOWN DALE sounds like DOWNED ALE = drank beer
51 AZULEJO – AZU(r)E = blue, with L(eft) replacing R(ight), JO(b)
52 FINAL – FIN(g)AL = cave man
53 LIGHT YEAR – (LETHARGY)* around I = one
54 MIGHT IS RIGHT – MIGHT I SIGHT = could one see, around R(esistance)
55 AT A STRETCH – double definition
Down
1 ZIP FASTENER – ZIP = nothing, FASTER = quicker, around EN = in, from France,
2 BASIE – BASE = binary, around I(mpossible)
3 GREGORIAN – GIAN(t) = huge, around REGOR = ROGER = received, reversed
4 IN STYLE – I(slamis)T, around N,S = poles, YLE = ELY = see = diocese, reversed
5 NUDGING – NUD(e) = naked, GING(er) = shade of red. The removed ER is clued by “leading lady” – ie the Queen
6 EUROSCEPTIC – (EC TPIC SURE)*
7 CONVEX – CON = reason not to, VEX = eat
8 ARABELLA – hidden reversed in pigALLE BAR Acting
9 DOCTOR ZHIVAGO – (GOD TO V(ery) O(ld) CZAR)* around HI = welcome
10 SNIFTER – SNIFFER = solvent abuser, with F = strong replaced by T(ime)
11 SANDRINGHAM – SAND = polish, RING = gang, HAM = smoked joint
13 WATERMELON – WA(g), TERME(d) = dubbed, LON(g) = extensive
20 POMPADOUR – POM = Victorian (as in Australian) Briton, PA = parent, DOUR = forbidding
23 CORNETTO – CO = company = firm, (ROTTEN)*
25 deliberately omitted – please ask if unsure
26 SHOWROOM – S(alesman), HOW = the way, ROOM = MOOR = make fast, reversed
28 IRREGULAR – IR(ish), REGUL = LUGER = pistol, reversed, AR = RA = Royal Artillery = big guns, reversed
29 DES RES – DEE’S = river’s, around SR = sister
31 HUMAN INTEREST – E(nergy) in (NUTRIMENT HAS)*
33 STAKE A CLAIM – sounds like STEAK ACCLAIM
34 LIQUID LUNCH – a 1 QUID LUNCH would be cheap
35 WHITSTABLE – W(ith) HIT = success, STABLE = firm
36 deliberately omitted – please ask if unsure
40 AXMINSTER – AXER = person cutting, around M(ass) IN ST(reet) = way
41 NEBULOUS – NO = refusal, around EBUL = LUBE = oil, reversed, US = unserviceable
43 HOMBURG – HAMBURG = European city, with A from opera replaced by O(ld)
45 MUDFLAT – MUD = what is scandalously thrown, FLAT = floor
46 PLOUGHS – cryptic definition
47 SHUFTI – (THUS IF)*
50 ADEPT – AD = plug, EP = old record (no)T