Very straightforward – I think it took me longer to type up than to solve.
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 PAPERWEIGHT – PAP = rubbish, (HERE TWIG)* | |
| 7 BRING TO BOOK – B(ishop), RING TO BOOK = call for reservation | |
| 13 YODEL – Y = unknown, ODE = lines, (squea)L | |
| 14 CHUGGED – C(lubs), HUGGED = was amorous | |
| 15 PONDEROUS – POROUS = allowing liquid to enter, around END* | |
| 16 ASSERTIVE – AS, SERVE = answer, around TI = IT reversed | |
| 17 RIGHT WHALE – RIGHT = just, W(estern), HALE = sound | |
| 20 TORNADO – TORN = faced with a decision, ADO = business | |
| 22 PROSAIC – PRO = for, SAC = bag, around I = one | |
| 24 SPATULA – SPAT = TAPS = gets liquid from, reversed, (go)ULA(sh) | |
| 25 REASSURE – (t)REASURE = cherished helper, around (chore)S | |
| 26 AN IDEAL HUSBAND – double definition | |
| 28 FACER – FR = Father, around ACE = wicked (both meaning very good) | |
| 29 STARRY – S(on), TARRY = hang about | |
| 30 STONY BROKE – STROKE = achievement, around ON Y(ear) B(ook) | |
| 33 LEOPARDESS – (LADS REPOSE)* | |
| 35 INTACT – INT(ernational), ACT = law | |
| 37 GOGOL – GO, GO = repeated attempts, L(ine) | |
| 39 BEST-BEFORE DATE – double definition, the second referring to the solution without the hyphen (the opposite to worst after date) | |
| 41 ANCESTOR – hidden in chANCES TO Return | |
| 44 CYNICAL – LACY = frilly, around IN = fashionable, C(lothes), all reversed | |
| 45 FLORIDA – FLA(t) = monotonous, around O(range), RID = free | |
| 46 EARDRUM – ‘EARD = Cockney version of heard = used eardrum, RUM = queer. A bit convoluted | |
| 47 DEBAUCHING – DEB = new girl, ACHING = longing, around U = upper-class | |
| 49 ARTEMISIA – ARTEMIS = goddess, I(n) A(sia) | |
| 53 VERSIFIER – V = against, FERRIES*, around I = one | |
| 54 OLOROSO – OLOS = SOLO = single, reversed, around O.R. = men, O = round | |
| 55 CROWD, ROW = noise, in CD = recording | |
| 56 RUDIMENTARY – R.U. = sport, DIARY = column in newspaper, around MEN = players and T(wickenham) | |
| 57 SELF-STARTER – STER(n) = demanding, around FALTERS* | |
| Down | |
| 1 PAYMASTER – (PARTY, SAME)* | |
| 2 PEDESTRIAN CROSSING – PEDESTRIAN = flat, CROSS = short (-tempered), I = one, N(o), G(ood) | |
| 3 RULER – RU(st)LER = thief. the removed ST = stone | |
| 4 ESCRITOIRES – (thre)E (Teacher)S, CRIES = weeps, around TOIR = RIOT = disturbance, reversed | |
| 5 GIUSEPPE – I USE = I employ, P,P = pair of pianos, in GE = E.G. = say, reversed | |
| 6 TIGER COUNTRY – (TRYING TO CURE)* | |
| 7 BODYGUARDS – BOARDS = gets on, around D(aughter) and YGU = GUY with the last letter moved to first | |
| 8 INPUT – (h)INT = suggestion, around PU = UP reversed | |
| 9 GENGHIS KHAN – (HE HANGS KING)* | |
| 10 OVERLOADS – OVER = more than one delivery (cricket), LADS = boy’s, around O = nothing | |
| 11 OBOE O(ld), BO(r)E = drill | |
| 12 KISS – K(ing) and S(ociety) around IS | |
| 18 CUT A LONG STORY SHORT – cryptic definition | |
| 19 HANDBELL – HANDEL = composer, L(eft), around B(ig) | |
| 21 AUSTRIA – A = article, U.S. = American, TRIA(l) = case | |
| 23 CLAPTRAP – CLAP = suddenly close, TRAP = mouth | |
| 27 SANSERIF – SERIF = FIRES = lights, reversed, around AN’S = article’s | |
| 28 FALLBACK – FALL = autumn, BACK = return | |
| 31 BUGBEAR – BUG = insect, BEAR = animal. I can hardly think of a more straightforward clue | |
| 32 ANYTHING GOES – double definition | |
| 34 DEFOLIATION – (IODINE ALOFT)* | |
| 36 TENDENTIOUS – |
|
| 38 ADMONITORY – AD = publicity, MONITOR = display, Y = variable | |
| 40 BACTERIUM – BUM = bad, around ACT = operation and ERI = IRE = anger, reversed | |
| 42 RAM-RAIDER – RIDER = passenger, around ARM = weapon and A reversed | |
| 43 SALAD OIL – A LAD = a boy, in SOIL = compost | |
| 48 CIRCA – A, CRIC(k) = neck-ache, all reversed | |
| 50 MOCHA – M.O. = way of approaching, CHA(p) = fellow | |
| 51 OVER – (c)OVER = fielder | |
| 52 GRID – GRI(n)D = hard work | |
The correct parsing of the clue should be TEND = mind, (NO USE, IT)*