No 14883, Thursday 27 Aug 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 5A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Relaxes in bed after having sex with primarily sexy blonde (4,4) SITS BACK {S{IT}{Sexy}{Bl...e}ACK}

5   Outspoken, dynamic and idealistic hosts (6) ?A?D?D ()

10 Misdeed by champion in posh hotel around Taiwanese city (7) HSINCHU {SIN}{CH} in {U}{H}<=

11 Torments British university lecturer with untruths (7) BULLIES {B}{U}{L}{LIES}

12 See 9 Down

13 Ride at wet ground in ebbing and flowing liquid (9) TIDEWATER*

14 Infringement by merchant, one craftily smuggling cocaine (12) ENCROACHMENT {MERCHANT+ONE}* over {C}

18 Unexpected upset! Side in state of shock (12) STUPEFACTION {UPSET}*{FACTION}

21 Asian pianist artfully entertaining a thousand (9) PAKISTANI {P{A}{K}ISTANI*

23 Old British nobleman close to Jeffrey (5) EARLY {EARL}{j...eY}

24 One with most lavish houses, beginning to become abrasive (7) ACERBIC {ACE}{RICh} over {Be...e}

25 Frivolous sportsman at centre, one crushed by opponent (7) TRIVIAL {s..rTs..n}{RIV{I}AL}

26 A little toddler and semiaquatic mammal in reel (6) TOTTER {To...r}{OTTER}

27 Extremely remarkable model dating big star (3,5) RED GIANT {Re...lE}{DATING*}

DOWN

1   Seem worried about China's ploy (6) SCHEME {S{CH}EME*}

2   Make a mistake in revolting place, cuddling disreputable person (4,2) TRIP UP {PUT<=} over {RIP}

3   Drunken female reveller in taxi, turning to sing and cheer heartily (9) BACCHANTE {CAB<=}{CHANT}{chEer}

4   Neutralise Cuban cartel, one going berserk (14) COUNTERBALANCE*

6   Tolerate American leader, primarily mean (5) ALLOW {A}{Le...r}{LOW}

7   I trained vigorously to become more trim (8) DAINTIER*

8   Princess on small Greek island is unattached (8) DISCRETE {DI}{S}{CRETE}

9   Strong feeling of disgust caused by poor dental hygiene? (1,3,5,2,3,5) (Continued in 12 Across) A BAD TASTE IN THE MOUTH [C&DD]

15 Hanging around oafishly at opening, eating greedily (9) HOOVERING {HO{Oa...y}VERING}

16 Injured Pathan's holding long walking stick made from a sapling (3-5) ASH-PLANT {PATHANS}* over {L}

17 Most cool and enjoyable, flying kites (8) FUNKIEST {FUN}{KITES*}

19 Iran slyly beginning to construct atomic plant (6) ARNICA {IRAN}*{Co...t}{At...c}

20 Slippery person crosses yard, starts to escape through small hole (6) EYELET {E{Y}EL}{Es...s}{Th...h}

22 Transaction involving billions for expensive fur (5) SABLE {SA{B}LE}

Reference List

Sex = IT, Champion = CH, Posh = U, Hotel = H, British = B, University = U, Lecturer = L, Cocaine = C, Thousand = K, China = CH, Small = S, Long = L, Yard = Y, Billions = B

No 14882, Wednesday 26 Aug 2026, Dr. X

HAPPY ONAM

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 10D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Playful sexual activity of Bond having drink with English lady in retreat (4,3,6) SLAP AND TICKLE {S{LAP}{AND}TICK} with {E}{L}<=

8   Massage the Spanish star (5) RIGEL {RIG}{EL}

9   Charges in Leeds animatedly after taking wicket (9) DELEGATES {DELE{GATE}S*}

11 See godson slyly stealing money - oh dear! (8,2) GOODNESS ME {SEE+GODSON}* over {M}

12 Wire-tap catches nationalist giving bribe (4) BUNG {BU{N}G}

14 Hint about turbulent ride in disturbed sea due to currents (4,3) TIDE RIP {T{RIDE*}IP}

16 Highest in quiz, dominates completely (7) TALLEST {T{ALL}EST}

17 Associate eventually checks innermost layers of blood vessel (7) INTIMAE {A} in {IN TIME}

19 Topless seaside resort in England is trendy (5-2) RIGHT-ON bRIGHTON

21 Girl on edge, becoming sullen (4) GRIM {G}{RIM}

22 American character beginning to feel good after controlling hot, quick temper (1,5,4) A SHORT FUSE {A}{SORT}{Feel}{USE} over {H}

25 Prominent feature of model on one's arm (5,4) ROMAN NOSE*

26 Consumed some wine at entertainment (5) EATEN [T]

27 Couple consuming ganja essentially and relaxing in flat (13) UNINTERESTING {UNI{gaNja}TE}{RESTING}

DOWN

2   Pursue large dog running around tree (7) LOGWOOD {WOO} in {L+DOG}*

3   Romp with lad in fancy European racecar perhaps (10) PALINDROME {ROMP+LAD+IN}*{E} DBE

4   Star in retreat cuddling extremely divine, unclad art models (5) NUDES {SUN<=} over {Di..nE}

5   Reel about the French master's scientific instrument (9) TELEMETER {TE{LE}{M}ETER}

6   Pound of cocaine on degenerate (4) CAGE {C}{AGE}

7   Vegetable cutlet served with starter of eggplant (7) LETTUCE {CUTLET*}{Eg...t}

8   Footballer erring with shot over top of goal (5-6) RIGHT-WINGER {ERRING+WITH}* over {Goal}

10 Guess the number in jar without looking (5,6) S?G?T ?N?E?N ()

13 One chasing blonde in gathering is most frivolous (10) FLIGHTIEST {I}<=>{LIGHT} in {FEST}

15 Emphasise how to return cursor to beginning of current active line (5,4) PRESS HOME [C&DD]

18 I am weak, taking vitamin (7) THIAMIN {TH{I}{AM}IN}

20 Relative enthralled by tenor performing in English county town (7) TAUNTON {T}{AUNT}{ON}

23 Selection of robes, extremely large (5) OBESE [T]

24 Informed about naked sot entering bar (2,2) IN ON {IN{sOt}N}

Reference List

English = E, Lady = L, The in Spanish = EL, Money = M, Nationalist = N, Associate = A, Girl = G, Hot = H, Pursue = WOO, Large = L, European = E, The in French = LE, Master = M, Cocaine = C, Tenor = T