Times Quick Cryptic No 1792 by Teazel

Introduction

Did not finish. Well, Teazel, you got me.

Solutions

A brief summary of cryptic crosswords —feel free to skip— :

• Each clue has at least one “definition”: an unbroken string of words which more-or-less straightforwardly indicates the answer. A definition can be as simple as a one-word synonym; but it can also be a descriptive phrase like ‘I’m used to wind’ for REEL or SPOOL. A definition by example must be indicated by a phrase like ‘for example’, or, more commonly, a question mark (?). Thus ‘color’ is a definition of RED, while ‘red, for example’ or ‘red?’ are definitions of COLOR. Punctuation (and capitalization) is otherwise irrelevant.
• Each clue may also have an unbroken string of words which indicates the answer through wordplay, such as: using abbreviations; reversing the order of letters; indicating particular letters (first, last, outer, middle, every other, etc); placing words inside other words; rearranging letters (anagrams); replacing words by words that sound alike (homophones); and combinations of the above. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but the general theme is to reinterpret ordinary words as referring to letters, so that for example ‘lion’s head’ indicates the first letter of LION: namely, L.
• Definitions and wordplay cannot overlap. The only other words allowed in clues are linking words or phrases that combine these. Thus we may see, for example: “(definition) gives (wordplay)” or “(definition) and (definition)” or “(wordplay) is (definition)”.
• The most common clues have either two definitions, or one definition plus wordplay, in either order. But a single, very misleading definition is not uncommon, and very occasionally a definition can also be interpreted as wordplay leading to the same answer. Triple definitions (and more) are also possible.

My conventions in the solutions below are to underline definitions (including a defining phrase); put linking words in [brackets]; and put all wordplay indicators in boldface. I also use a solidus (/) to help break up the clue where necessary, especially for double definitions without linking words.

After the solutions, I list all the wordplay indicators and abbreviations in a Glossary.

Across

8	Perhaps consul’s not finished off certificate (7)
	DIPLOMA – DIPLOMAT (perhaps consul) without the last letter
9	Man will ring, [and] say this first? (5)
	HELLO – HE’LL (man will) + O The second “definition” is a descriptive phrase suggesting that when someone rings, the first thing they’ll say is ‘hello’.
10	Cocktail ingredient right for man to swallow (5)
	PRAWN – R in PAWN
11	Shelved piece of furniture that now needs replacing (7)
	WHATNOT – THAT NOW anagrammed Whatnot: https://www.lexico.com/definition/whatnot
12	Lack of guile / one never has to prove in court (9)
	INNOCENCE – double definition
14	Damage marrow, destroying half (3)
	MAR – MARROW without the second half
16	It’s funny, whichever way you look at it (3)
	GAG – cryptic definition, alluding to the answer being a palindrome
18	A character man spared collapses (9)
	AMPERSAND – MAN SPARED anagrammed
21	Doorman / that’s aimed at the head (7)
	BOUNCER – double definition Bouncer: https://www.lexico.com/definition/bouncer
22	Its blades cut blades (5)
	MOWER – cryptic definition, the second ‘blades’ referring to blades of grass
23	Different part of bible seen by woman (5)
	OTHER – O.T. (part of bible) + HER
24	Pays no attention to singer, worried / about nothing (7)
	IGNORES – SINGER anagrammed around O

Down

1	Choosing awfully doting Pa? (8)
	ADOPTING – anagram of DOTING PA
2	Injury [from] run in European country (6)
	SPRAIN – R in SPAIN
3	Go to be with girl / at home (4)
	JOIN – JO + IN
4	Scientist argues really well at first / in row (6)
	DARWIN – first letters of ARGUES REALLY WELL in DIN
5	Flier[’s] clothes keep in warmth (8)
	WHEATEAR – WEAR around HEAT ‘Clothes’ = WEAR as in ‘menswear’, although the word ‘wear’ on its own has the meaning in question. I could only get as far as GHEATEAR: HEAT in GEAR.
6	Full meeting [in] place, menu to be worked out (6)
	PLENUM – PL. + MENU anagrammed
7	For the moment, time [is] nothing up north (4)
	NOWT – NOW + T Nowt: https://www.lexico.com/definition/nowt
13	[In] court, unscrupulous type gets years (8)
	CHANCERY – CHANCER + Y Chancer: https://www.lexico.com/definition/chancer. Couldn’t get this one.
15	International organisation looking embarrassed and angry (3,5)
	RED CROSS – RED + CROSS
17	It’s awkward [being] left in Calais (6)
	GAUCHE – double definition (‘gauche’ is French for ‘left’)
19	Leaving car briefly [for] teatime snack (6)
	PARKIN – PARKING without the last letter Parkin: https://www.lexico.com/definition/parkin. Got this one, but didn’t know it.
20	A couple in old vessel, busy (2,4)
	AT WORK – TWO in ARK
21	Loudly disapprove of / new benefit (4)
	BOON – BOO + N
22	Object to / wits (4)
	MIND – double definition

Glossary

Wordplay indicators