The Sunday Crossword No 3141, Sunday 14 Mar 2021

ACROSS

1   Animated, showing nerve, effects reform (12) EFFERVESCENT*

9   Dead end: Everyman's old hat (7) IMPASSE {I'M}{PASSE}

10 Most of the Third Form moving to that place (7) THITHER {THE+THIRd}*

11 Ingredient that can be hot or cold, reportedly (5) CHILLI CHILI See comments (~chilly)

12 Try and obtain leverage with a handle? (4-4) NAME-DROP [CD]

14 'Northern Ireland' on agenda after 'Welcome'; in charge you'll find cynic (10) NIHILISTIC {NI}{HI}{LIST}{IC}

15 Such noses? Upturned & blunt, primarily! (4) SNUB Acrostic &lit

17 Go round and round wasting time in underwear (4) EDDY tEDDY

19 Those dining out make choice of something to wear, we're told (10) PICNICKERS {PICK}{NICKERS}(~knickers)

21 Help old boy with computer that's backfired in the country (8) CAMBODIA {AID}{OB}{MAC}<=

23 Get rid of Teresa, toppling leader that's lame (5) ERASE tERESA*

25 What Duke of York claimed is easy (2,5) NO SWEAT [CD]

26 Liz eats chocolate biscuit; it's 'to be found within' (7) BETWIXT {BE{TWIX}T}

27 Nuns drinking beer, and drop of cognac that's 'reviving' (12) CONVALESCENT {CONV{ALES}{Co...c}ENT}

DOWN

2   Opposed to wearing soles, perhaps affectedly dressy (7) FOPPISH {F{OPP}ISH}

3   He's lined pants to provide protection (8) ENSHIELD*

4   We will be rising before four for the scenery (4) VIEW {WE}{IV}<= Wordplay leads to {WE<=}{IV}

5   Changing into suits, needing introduction in applying for jobs (10) SITUATIONS {INTO+SUITS}* over {Ap...g}

6   Very best among pre-Raphaelites (5) ELITE [T]

7   Earthen crocks in Persian city (7) TEHERAN*

8   Immature pup intoxicated with beer aroma (12) PREPUBESCENT {PUP+BEER}*{SCENT}

9   Fiery, being of S American lineage (12) INCANDESCENT {INCAN DESCENT}

13 Wasp: 'I distractedly go around houseplant' (10) ASPIDISTRA [T]

16 Catholic Church upset seeing Celtic half back (8) ECLECTIC {CE<=}{CEL<=TIC}

18 Dying 'bit' from comedian's a little dry (4-3) DEMI-SEC  {DEMISE}{Co...n}

20 Delight as family member runs away (7) ELATION rELATION

22 Louche fauns regularly seen in water (5) OCEAN {lOuChE+fAuNs}

24 Clever Biblical character bringing up learner (4) ABLE AB(+l)LE(-l)

Reference List

Time = T, Old boy = OB, Liz = BET (Elizabeth), Church = CE, Runs = R, Learner = L