My run of disastrous solves continues with this one that took me 18 minutes which is well into ‘red’ territory (15+ minutes) yet again. I haven’t achieved my 10 minute target since Tracy’s last appearance on 18th October, yet at the turn of the month I had a run of 10 consecutive ‘green’ solves.
As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, reversal and other indicators in square ones]
| Across | |
| 1 | Reckless forward, first to be dismissed (4) |
| RASH : {b}RASH (forward) [first to be dismissed]. ‘Forward / brash’ in the sense of vulgarly self-assertive. | |
| 3 | Object, with annoyance, to risk (8) |
| ENDANGER : END (object), ANGER (annoyance) | |
| 9 | Bird‘s down (7) |
| SWALLOW : Two meanings, the second as in ‘drink’ | |
| 10 | Another win following ace (5) |
| AGAIN : A (ace), GAIN (win) | |
| 11 | Greek character dealt deviously (5) |
| DELTA : Anagram [deviously] of DEALT. The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. | |
| 12 | Ring and point out choice (6) |
| OPTION : O (ring), anagram [out] of POINT | |
| 14 | There may be rhyme but no reason in it (8,5) |
| NONSENSE VERSE : Cryptic definition | |
| 17 | Newspaper chief travelled back to cover it (6) |
| EDITOR : RODE (travelled) reversed [back] containing [to cover] IT | |
| 19 | Search in part of Earls Court (5) |
| SCOUR : Hidden in [part of] {earl}S COUR{t}. The world famous exhibition centre and concert venue was demolished in 2017. Confusion reigns as to whether this district of West London should take an apostrophe; the tube station has had one since 1951 and street names on most maps, but street signage omits it, as did the exhibition centre in its day. | |
| 22 | Crazy about tango feat (5) |
| STUNT : NUTS (crazy) reversed [about], T (tango – NATO alphabet) | |
| 23 | Introduce irrelevant matter of US soldier returning wearing frock! (7) |
| DIGRESS : GI ( US soldier) reversed [returning] contained by [wearing] DRESS (frock) | |
| 24 | A rent got reviewed, according to plan (2,6) |
| ON TARGET : Anagram [reviewed] of A RENT GOT | |
| 25 | Ring everyone after onset of chickenpox (4) |
| CALL : C{hickenpox} [onset], ALL (everyone) | |
| Down | |
| 1 | Occupant let team inside (8) |
| RESIDENT : SIDE (team) contained by [inside] RENT (let) | |
| 2 | Delay beginning to seem unlikely (5) |
| STALL : S{eem} [beginning], TALL (unlikely – as in ‘a tall story’) | |
| 4 | Toy owls entranced cuckoo (7,6) |
| NEWTONS CRADLE : Anagram [cuckoo] of OWLS ENTRANCED. More of a scientific device perhaps, but is certainly often marketed as executive toy. | |
| 5 | Not living together may be a factor (5) |
| APART : A, PART (factor) | |
| 6 | Allure of grand old Hollywood actress (7) |
| GLAMOUR : G (grand), LAMOUR (old Hollywood actress). Dorothy Lamour (1914-1996) is perhaps best remembered for the series of Road films she made with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. Here she is singing Thanks For The Memory in 1938. I certainly wouldn’t mind having more clues about Hollywood goddesses and fewer about Greek ones! | |
| 7 | Complete row (4) |
| RANK : Two meanings, the first as in ‘rank outsider’ | |
| 8 | Like appeals close to umpire (6) |
| PLEASE : PLEAS (appeals), {umpir}E [close to]. If you like / if you please. | |
| 13 | Rare slip somehow results in act of retaliation (8) |
| REPRISAL : Anagram [somehow] of RARE SLIP | |
| 15 | Surely agree bout fixed (2,5) |
| NO DOUBT : NOD (agree), anagram [fixed] of BOUT | |
| 16 | Very wise person saving one’s face (6) |
| VISAGE : V (very) + SAGE (wise) containing [saving] I (one) | |
| 18 | Coach tour rearranged around end of August (5) |
| TUTOR : Anagram [rearranged] of TOUR containing [around] {augus}T [end] | |
| 20 | Ring a theatre company set up to produce musical drama (5) |
| OPERA : O (ring), then A + REP (theatre company) reversed [set up] | |
| 21 | Endless industrial action in Norwegian port (4) |
| OSLO : {g}O SLO{w} (industrial action) [endless] | |
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