Thursday 6 August 2020

No 13007, Thursday 06 Aug 2020, Dr. X

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.

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 List
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)

37 comments:

  1. Thought of Col. and there he is with his trademark moustache!

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  2. 14a HEARTSTINGS; deep emotions; HE(ARTS(RING)S)

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  3. 10A- This shoot was last in my thoughts- took a long time and had to depend on crossings. My COD.

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  4. Ref.- Sex= It. Is 'It' sex appeal or sex?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Paddy! "It" means both sex appeal and sexual intercourse or activity (inf) Ref: BRB.

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    2. Thank you Doc. I had a doubt because of the usual usage- SA/ It.

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  5. Loved the photo Col Sir šŸ˜€!

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  6. 20Dn is one of the best clues, I think.

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  7. +1 for the clue and the selfIe of HANDLEBAR
    Good clueing all the way
    Loved 6D and 22D

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  8. Excellent 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.

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  9. IXL2020 will be starting from 23rd August!!! Got mail just now.

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    Replies
    1. +1. Registration starts on 15th Aug.,muted Independence Day.

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  10. SARABAND 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.

    Doc, you promised an easy one for today, but turned out to be toughest of this week!

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    Replies
    1. Handlebar inspired by Col? Yes, of course! šŸ˜€

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  11. Easier one of the trio for me today by Dr. X. Yesterday's was by far the toughest

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  12. 20D- I was reminded of a Churchill quip.
    During 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!"

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  13. Found today’s grid a bit tough due maybe to unusual synonyms. Nice selfie Colonel

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  14. Lovely puzzle.Did late but loved it.
    Thanks Dr.X for the puzzle and Colonel for a superb blog.

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  15. IXL is announced.Hope everyone has got their invite. Registration will start from 15th August at www.cryptingsingh.com

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  16. I haven't got my invite!Srinidhi and my wife have. But I will register anyway, invite or not.!
    Aapno se bhi koi ruttha hai~☺️

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