Solution to 2D 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 Plug in stain for a disreputable person (3,3) BAD LOT {B{AD}LOT}
5 Dishevel, dirty, spiteful woman (3-5) SHE-DEVIL*
9 Deformed levels of narcissism (4-4) SELF-LOVE*
10 Large order to kill ugly ogre in storeroom (6) LARDER {LArge+oRDER}
11 Maybe China and Pakistan ignore Bush in rebellion (10) NEIGHBOURS*
12 Bowlers go off in words of praise (4) HATS {HATS off}
13 Chambers of Austria dismiss America (5) ATRIA AusTRIA
14 Vasant designed Guiding system en route (6) SATNAV*
17 Internal switch in confusion makes a furious woman (6) BELDAM BE(D<=>L)AM
19 Ungrateful at heart. It connects foot and leg (5) ANKLE thANKLEss
22 Staff punishment tool (4) CANE [DD]
24 A small amount of money lost in the gross (10) SHOESTRING*
25 Wine shop smell brings back elderly! (6) BODEGA {BO}{AGED<=}
26 For the most part, rule supports partner (8) NORMALLY {NORM}{ALLY}
27 Cut short flyover encroaching half of the road (8) ABRIDGED {roA{BRIDGE}D}
28 No-hopers played lacrosse losing match regularly (6) LOSERS LacROSSE*
DOWN
2 Executioners from firefighters! (6) A?E?E? (Addendum - AXEMEN {AXE}{MEN} - See comments)
3 If drug is taken with ale at sea, take his help (9) LIFEGUARD {IF+DRUG+ALE}*
4 List of items available with the agent at public house (7) TOOLBAR {TOOL}{BAR}
5 Small mirror-like medical instrument (7) SPECULA [DD] Instrment or Instruments? (Addendum - SPECULAr - See comments)
6 Enters tinsel to become leading star (7) ENLISTS {TINSEL*}{Star}
7 Globe cycling the core (5) EARTH (-h)EART(+h)H
8 He could be angriest (5,3) INERT GAS*
15 Game-changers take bribes illegally ignoring board primarily (3-6) TIE-BREAKS {TAKE-bRIBES}*
18 The horse should dance, no tips! (7) MUSTANG {MUST}{tANGo}
19 Enhanced commotion, Royal Navy entered banks (7) ADORNED {ADO}{RN}{En...eD}
20 Thickest relative has falcon (7) KESTREL [T]
23 Frankincense, Copal, Turpentine, Balsam, Kauri at the end give this resin (5) ELEMI Tail Acrostic
Reference List
Plug = AD, Smell = BO
2D. I am not sure but is it because fire fighters usually carry an axe with them to help in their work?
ReplyDeleteErgo axemen = executioners?
Right answer. An axeman is someone brought in to a company incurring losses to cut costs often by laying off people etc.
DeleteSujatha/Suresh,
DeleteMy intended wp is different, though answer is right!
To "fire" is to "axe". "Fighters" are "men" - AXEMEN ?
DeleteSpot on, VU!
DeleteOh! KKR
DeleteIt comes as a DD quite readily. A firefighter being someone who battles crises
5d imo, SPECULA(-r).
ReplyDeleteYou are right Prasad,
DeleteUnfortunately, the def. should be "medical instruments"
Apologies
14A:Thank you Karaoke for the mention
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, dear friend!
DeleteNice grid KKR garu. A case of 99 run out! Stumped by that furious woman in 17ac.
ReplyDeleteChennai test still in mind, MB?
Delete:-)
Thanks MBgaru,
DeleteVasant at...
DeleteYes! For once, Pant redeemed himself well in Chennai Test!! :)
Yes And a dream test for Ashwin. Rohit's century was classy and Kohli's 2nd innings knock was a lesson in technique and footwork.
Delete+1
Delete+2
DeleteHe he! Liked both of them playing different roles in 8 & 16 dn clues!! :)
ReplyDelete16D fooled me...8D superb clue
DeleteDishevel, dirty, spiteful woman
ReplyDeleteAre these three adj.s qualifying the noun spiteful woman?
No. Dishevel is not an adj. Dishevelled is.
Dishevel is verb and can qualify the dirty spiteful woman.
Then in that case the comma is intrusive.
Solvers need to look more critically at clues.
Nice grid. The anagrams are lovely. Also the deletion clues...very enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteThanks Novice!
Delete