No 13137, Tuesday 05 Jan 2021, Dr. X

Solution to 1D 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   Chilly night primarily, darling cuddles to come closer (4,4) DRAW NEAR {D{RAW}{Ni..t}EAR}

5   Throw out fool scratching bottom in party (6) BANISH {BA{NIt}SH}

10 Idiot thrashed over ridiculous flaw (7) HALFWIT {H{FLAW*}IT}

11 Employee taking pen drive to save (7) HUSBAND {H{USB}AND}

12 Any point of compass is singular, describing height and breadth (5) RHUMB {R{H}UM}{B}

13 Next one is ruptured appendix (9) EXTENSION*

14 Hits with skill and talent, finally breaking teeth (5-7) CHART-TOPPERS {ART}{t...nT} in {CHOPPERS}

18 Hostile women angrily surrounding cad help things run smoothly (3,3,6) OIL THE WHEELS {HOSTILE+W}* over {HEEL}

21 Fielder’s hand crossing rope initially by mistake (5,4) FIRST SLIP {FI{Rope}ST}{SLIP}

23 Better cocaine for prince in bar (5) EXCEL EX(-p+c)CEL

24 Disgusting feeling on retirement, killing time for pension essentially (7) NOISOME EMO(-t+s)SION<=

25 Form new groups with gangster in command (7) REALIGN {RE{AL}IGN}

26 Study and crack examination without tension primarily (6) DIGEST {DIG}{tEST}

27 One avoids late night parties finally (2,6) AT LENGTH {LATE+NiGHT}*

DOWN

1   Hard men in sanctuary disarm a bull (6) D?H?R? (Addendum - DEHORN{DE{H}{OR}N} - See comments)

2   Resolute female avoiding quarrel (3-3) ALL-OUT fALLOUT

3   A woman entering bar upset old ruler of Iran in Asian city (9) NAWABSHAH {N{A}{W}AB<=}{SHAH}

4   Rogue cheats bank and escapes by the shortest route (2,3,4,5) AS THE CROW FLIES {CHEATS*}{ROW}{FLIES}

6   Popular songstress conceals fiery crime (5) ARSON [T]

7   Bride heartily made out after drinking liquor and conceived (8) IMAGINED {brIde}{MA{GIN}ED*}

8   Epicurean Mafia boss involved in robbery (8) HEDONIST {HE{DON}IST}

9   Ghost identified? Bravo! (5,3,6) THATS THE SPIRIT [DD]

15 Petty theft by revolting jerk, starting to evoke anger (9) PILFERAGE {FLIP<=}{Ev..e}{RAGE} 

16 Criminal penalised and imprisoned (8) CONFINED {CON}{FINED}

17 Philandering director avoids scandal in dalliance (8) FLIRTING {FL{dIRT}ING}

19 Stomach in general keeps hurting (6) ACHING [T]

20 Piece of cake left inside bag (6) CLINCH {C{L}INCH}

22 Runs in back street filled with rubbish (5) TROTS {T{ROT}S<=}

Reference List

Height = H, Breadth = B, Cocaine = C, Women = W, Prince = P, Time = T, Gangster = AL, Hard = H. Men = OR,  Female = F, Woman = W, Director = D, Left = L, Street = ST