Easier one from xChequer today
ACROSS
7 Part ultimately breaking off, trailing precious fuel (6) PETROL {PET}{ROL8 Swim back, worn by exercise, have to wrap up (4,4) PIPE DOWN {PI{PE} D<=}{OWN}
9 Flip if one heartlessly distorts the picture (4,2,2) LIFE OF PI {FLIP+IF+O
10 Save rejected scrap for animal (6) RABBIT {RAB<=}{BIT}
11 Having said that, silence (5) STILL (DD)
12 Colour extremely soft and pale (6) PASTEL {S
14 Representing yon Dark Ages? Yes, old time in the distant past (7,5,3) DONKEY'S YEARS AGO {YON+DARK+AGES+YES*}{O}
17 Transform into a new state (6) NATION {INTO+A*}{N}
18 Spy for king, favourite game (5) SPOOF {SPOO(-k+F)}
22 Christmas drink over, departed riding horse (6) EGGNOG {E{GG}NOG<=}
23 'Do or Die' — compressed version for Trump (8) OVERRIDE {O{VER}RIDE*}
24 More audacious with unrestrained support (8) BRASSIER {BRASSIER
25 Drill for Crown Agent checking leather (6) TREPAN {T{REP}AN}
DOWN
1 Image of record-breaking delivery style (9) DEPICTION {D{EP}ICTION}2 Difficult time when men bargain (6) ORDEAL {OR}{DEAL}
3 Kid's height, say (5) BLUFF (DD)
4 El Capitan possibly having base at tree below observation point (8) OPERETTA {OP}{TREE+AT*}
5 Several cases where not even the total appears in balance sheet (8) ODDBALLS {ODD}{B{ALL}S}
6 Lover dispatched for liberal wife (5) SWAIN {S(-l+W}AIN}
8 Our policy arm setting rule gets red perhaps (7,6) PRIMARY COLOUR {OUR+POLICY+ARM}*{R}
13 Since rum left over, each getting plenty (1,4,4) A GOOD DEAL {A GO}{OD D}{EA}{L}
15 Sends ink pads for tender consideration (8) KINDNESS {SENDS+INK}*
16 Desire to adopt a gait styled 'in' once more (3,5) YET AGAIN {YE{A+GAIT*}N}
19 Accountant at sea — one whose name is Incognito? (6) PURSER
20 Nuisance of jetlag growing (5) AGGRO (T)
21 Lifts the sofa, occasionally struggling (5) HEFTS {THE+S
Reference list
Exercise=PE, Old=O, King=K, Favourite=F, Horse=GG, Version=Ver, Agent=Rep
Record=EP, Men=OR, Observation point=OP, Balance Sheet=BS, Liberal=L, Wife=W, Rule=R, Left=L, Each=Ea
Record=EP, Men=OR, Observation point=OP, Balance Sheet=BS, Liberal=L, Wife=W, Rule=R, Left=L, Each=Ea
Color/Font Scheme
Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous
GRID
14 When it is apostrophised word - DONKEY'S, should enu show as 7 or 6'1? What is the convention?
ReplyDeleteAlthough people have started using 6'1, by convention 7 is used..perhaps experts can throw light
DeleteThe convention is 7. 6'1 is used by some in recent times. But that is not needed, IMnot-so-humbleO. If we allow this, we may have to do other similar things.
DeleteCV is right. One need go so low to be too cryptic by dropping the apos. Annotations are for guidance and there is no need to be cryptic which should be strictly in the cluing domain. Hyphens and apostrophes and portmanteau words or double-barreled words should be appropriately indicated within the bracket. IMnot-so-humbleO. This is my firm opinion. Or else, go to the American style where no annotations are indicated in brackets- could be single, double or even triple words . I do the ones in the Indian Express of Sunday.
DeleteI expected the Hindu to reincarnate yesterday's crossie today as an apology; but no. They don't care a hoot or a shout !
One need NOT
DeleteYes quite an easy one.And also with the online cw, a satisfactory solve
ReplyDelete19D: Purser is an accountant at sea (in the ship), and "Purser's name" is a nautical term for a false name (i.e. incognito) - had to look it up :)
ReplyDeleteWow. Thanks for the input. Didn't know that phrase.
DeleteThanks Ramki
DeleteIt refers to the false name given to the purser by a passenger travelling incognito.
DeleteOur Incognito may be an accountant but he has never been at sea physically.
ReplyDeleteAnd unlike xChequer he doesn't make us feel 'all at sea'
Delete😀😀
DeleteAt least- definitely not as Incognito!
Delete😀
DeletexC is an accountant too! Does being deep below sea level count as being at sea?
DeletexC's English is purebred British English.
ReplyDelete19D xChequer remembers his 'friend'
ReplyDeleteFared much better than yesterday- not withstanding Nadal reaching Finals. At least, I was not all at sea.
ReplyDeleteHow is Nadal's tennis match linked to your performance?
DeleteNot directly. Meant the distraction part- which was same yesterday and today. But MY performance was better today.
DeleteOh!Multitasking!Great.
DeleteI am quite bad at multitasking. It is either crossies or TV.
1 doubt - check=restrain, so doesnt 25A indicate REP restraining TAN and not the other way?
ReplyDeleteCHECKING = hampering/obstructing.
DeleteSo, REP is interfering/interrupting/intervening in TAN
2 down- Difficult time when men bargain (6) OR for men ?
ReplyDeleteOR=Other Ranks=soldiers=men
DeleteYes. This has come up before and I had asked the same doubt. Unfortunately, I don't remember the exact explanation.
ReplyDeleteI found the meaning- "Military or other ranks"- in Chambers.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vasant for the prompt reply.