Solution to 14A 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.
Small = S, English = E, King = K, Way = ST(Street), Time = T, Wife = W, Following = F, Cocaine = C, Article = A, Strand = SHORE, Hotel = H, Sex = IT, New N
ACROSS
1 Steal goods from small vault and disappear (8) SHOPLIFT {S}{HOP}{LIFT}
5 Ignore fool knocking back drink (4,2) PASS UP {SAP<=}{SUP}
10 Most wonderful oil-free Italian pasta (7) RAVIOLI {RAVe}{OIL*}{I}
11 Shoot goal in competition, sidestepping Ronaldo at centre (7) TENDRIL {T{END}RIaL}
12 Some of these boxers turned fat (5) OBESE [T<=]
13 What pub manager might do to get this type of moustache? (9) HANDLEBAR {HANDLE BAR}
14 Receiving symbol of love, he starts dancing showing deep emotions (12) ?E?R?S?R?N?S (Addendum - HEARTSTRINGS {HE}{ARTST{RING}S*} - See comments)
18 Ordering in a stick-up to be quiet (3,1,4,2,2) PUT A SOCK IN IT*
21 Tape horny rogue in scheme for blackmail (9) HONEYTRAP*
23 English secret agent assassinating king in Nordic city (5) ESPOO {E}{SPOOk}
24 Eagle flying over largely thick foliage (7) LEAFAGE {LEA{FAt}GE*}
25 Most banal way to suppress rumours (7) STALEST {S{TALES}T}
26 Briefly indicate about crash in railway track (6) SIDING {SI{DIN}Gn}
27 Rebellious man involved in spreading deadly organic compound (8) ALDEHYDE {ALD{HE<=}YDE*}
DOWN
1 Regret group wasting time on dispute (6) SORROW {SORt}{ROW}
2 Easily seen in retrospect — never fight with wife (2,4) ON VIEW {NO<=}{VIE}{W}
3 Performance of solos seen in play (9) LOOSENESS*
4 Following day, arrange again to smuggle cocaine in device aboard aircraft (6,8) FLIGHT RECORDER {F}{LIGHT}{RE{C}ORDER}
6 Cancel and remove article from yearbook (5) ANNUL ANNUaL
7 Spanish dance in a retro lounge in Strand (8) SARABAND {S{A}{BAR<=}AND}
8 Split into opposing camps by clip about onset of Arab Spring (8) POLARISE {LOP<=}{Arab}{RISE}
9 Passionate old rogue edging closer to temptress is available (2,4,8) AT ONES DISPOSAL {PASSIONATE+OLD}* over {t...eS}
15 Row over introduction of elaborate tax giving stress (9) REITERATE {TIER<=}{El...e}{RATE}
16 Devices for peeping in primarily sleazy bars around rear of seedy hotel (8) SPYHOLES {Sl...y}{P{s..dY}{H}OLES}
17 Classic celebrity houses including foremost in designs (8) STANDARD {ST{AND}AR}{De...s}
19 James Bond, say, cuddles miss after removing top fast (6) SPEEDY {SP{nEED}Y}
20 Annoyed about ebbing sex drive (6) SORTIE {SOR{IT<=}E}
22 Wish Happy New Year (5) YEARN {N+YEAR}*
Reference List1 Steal goods from small vault and disappear (8) SHOPLIFT {S}{HOP}{LIFT}
5 Ignore fool knocking back drink (4,2) PASS UP {SAP<=}{SUP}
10 Most wonderful oil-free Italian pasta (7) RAVIOLI {RAV
12 Some of these boxers turned fat (5) OBESE [T<=]
13 What pub manager might do to get this type of moustache? (9) HANDLEBAR {HANDLE BAR}
18 Ordering in a stick-up to be quiet (3,1,4,2,2) PUT A SOCK IN IT*
21 Tape horny rogue in scheme for blackmail (9) HONEYTRAP*
23 English secret agent assassinating king in Nordic city (5) ESPOO {E}{SPOO
24 Eagle flying over largely thick foliage (7) LEAFAGE {LEA{FA
25 Most banal way to suppress rumours (7) STALEST {S{TALES}T}
26 Briefly indicate about crash in railway track (6) SIDING {SI{DIN}G
27 Rebellious man involved in spreading deadly organic compound (8) ALDEHYDE {ALD{HE<=}YDE*}
DOWN
1 Regret group wasting time on dispute (6) SORROW {SOR
2 Easily seen in retrospect — never fight with wife (2,4) ON VIEW {NO<=}{VIE}{W}
3 Performance of solos seen in play (9) LOOSENESS*
4 Following day, arrange again to smuggle cocaine in device aboard aircraft (6,8) FLIGHT RECORDER {F}{LIGHT}{RE{C}ORDER}
6 Cancel and remove article from yearbook (5) ANNUL ANNU
7 Spanish dance in a retro lounge in Strand (8) SARABAND {S{A}{BAR<=}AND}
8 Split into opposing camps by clip about onset of Arab Spring (8) POLARISE {LOP<=}{A
9 Passionate old rogue edging closer to temptress is available (2,4,8) AT ONES DISPOSAL {PASSIONATE+OLD}* over {
15 Row over introduction of elaborate tax giving stress (9) REITERATE {TIER<=}{E
16 Devices for peeping in primarily sleazy bars around rear of seedy hotel (8) SPYHOLES {S
17 Classic celebrity houses including foremost in designs (8) STANDARD {ST{AND}AR}{D
19 James Bond, say, cuddles miss after removing top fast (6) SPEEDY {SP{
20 Annoyed about ebbing sex drive (6) SORTIE {SOR{IT<=}E}
22 Wish Happy New Year (5) YEARN {N+YEAR}*
Small = S, English = E, King = K, Way = ST(Street), Time = T, Wife = W, Following = F, Cocaine = C, Article = A, Strand = SHORE, Hotel = H, Sex = IT, New N
GRID
(Same as yesterday)
Thought of Col. and there he is with his trademark moustache!
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI like that too!
Col, you look younger. How old is this picture?
Delete1 day old!!
DeleteNope, was taken in 2019.
DeleteLess than a yer old! Good.
DeleteNice one.I remember one Colonel put for Walrus Moustache.
Delete14a HEARTSTINGS; deep emotions; HE(ARTS(RING)S)
ReplyDeleteHE(ARTST(RING)S*)
DeleteGood one Jacob. It has a nice ring to it.
Delete10A- This shoot was last in my thoughts- took a long time and had to depend on crossings. My COD.
ReplyDeleteDid you mean 11A?
DeleteI shot one under par!
ReplyDeleteRef.- Sex= It. Is 'It' sex appeal or sex?
ReplyDeleteHi Paddy! "It" means both sex appeal and sexual intercourse or activity (inf) Ref: BRB.
DeleteThank you Doc. I had a doubt because of the usual usage- SA/ It.
DeleteLoved the photo Col Sir š!
ReplyDelete20Dn is one of the best clues, I think.
ReplyDeleteDr.X special!
DeleteThanks a lot Mr Rao, Paddy!š
Delete+1 for the clue and the selfIe of HANDLEBAR
ReplyDeleteGood clueing all the way
Loved 6D and 22D
Thanks for your kind words Doc! š
DeleteExcellent Grid and very interesting Puzzles by Dr.X . Superb clues. Esp. 7 & 20D..... @ col.sir, looks young with charming personality (13A). Spanish dance ...Treat for eyes. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr Rao.
DeleteIXL2020 will be starting from 23rd August!!! Got mail just now.
ReplyDelete+1. Registration starts on 15th Aug.,muted Independence Day.
DeleteSARABAND is the first one to fall for me.Why is the video clip sounding like a dirge?Did you get inspired by the Kerala gold case when you clued HONEYTRAP ,Doc, HANDLEBAR was inspired by the Col? High maintenance job. How much time do you spend in trimming, Col. Where did you get the idea from?From the army ? Maneckshaw ?For me, clean shaven is the best.it takes me , one round up and another down ,all in two to three mins.
ReplyDeleteDoc, you promised an easy one for today, but turned out to be toughest of this week!
Handlebar inspired by Col? Yes, of course! š
DeleteEasier one of the trio for me today by Dr. X. Yesterday's was by far the toughest
ReplyDeleteThanks for cracking it Mr Prasad!
Delete20D- I was reminded of a Churchill quip.
ReplyDeleteDuring the height of II WW reporters frequently met him at all odd hours. On one such occasion one of the reporters told him," Mr.PM,your fly is open." to which he promptly replied-"Maybe,but the bird has flown long back!"
Found today’s grid a bit tough due maybe to unusual synonyms. Nice selfie Colonel
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedbackš
DeleteLovely puzzle.Did late but loved it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dr.X for the puzzle and Colonel for a superb blog.
Thanks Vasant š
DeleteIXL is announced.Hope everyone has got their invite. Registration will start from 15th August at www.cryptingsingh.com
ReplyDeleteI haven't got my invite!Srinidhi and my wife have. But I will register anyway, invite or not.!
ReplyDeleteAapno se bhi koi ruttha hai~☺️