No 13261, Monday 31 May 2021, Hypatia

Lockdown Day 33 of 40 Stay Safe at home

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.

Congrats to Hypatia for her half century

ACROSS

8   Withdraw from outcast returning outside Ashram’s entrance (6) REPEAL {L{As...m}EPER<=}

9   Part of Myanmar, in a terrain that’s steep (8) MARINATE [T]

10 Commercial property assumptions (8) PREMISES [DD]

11 Can frequently sell for five cents in the US (6) NICKEL {NICK}{sElL}

12 Sex changes in peak spring (8) FOUNTAIN (-m+f)FOUNTAIN

13 With drug in hand, youth leader is spirited (6) FEISTY {F{E}IST}{Yo..h}

14 Current parliamentarian gets every blame (7) IMPEACH {I}{MP}{EACH}

17 Old authors with energy for spending (7) EXPENSE {EX}{PENS}{E}

20 Jack and I cutting large avocado initially for Mexican dish (6) FAJITA {FA{J}{I}T}{Av...o}

22 Royal baggage (8) IMPERIAL [DD]

25 Criminal steals dupatta hanger? (6) TASSEL*

26 Gifted by The French National Gallery without director (8) TALENTED {TA{LE}{N}TE}{D}

27 Craving money, earn in gambling houses (8) YEARNING [T]

28 What you’re reading about intelligence quotient in group (6) CLIQUE {CL{IQ}UE}

DOWN

1   Woman’s bathroom clothes — one maiden’s legacy (8) HEIRLOOM {HE{1}R}{LOO}{M}

2   Farmer’s demo every now and then in several cycles (6) ?E?M?N (Addendum - YEOMAN {dEmO} in {(+y)YMAN(-y)} - See comments) 

3   Blood line passing through Dad’s mother (6) PLASMA {P{L}A'S}{MA}

4   Entertaining American male on drugs (7) AMUSING {A}{M}{USING}

5   Followers prank Spooner to shock (8) TRANSFIX (~ fans trick)

6   Since RBI ordered cut (8) INSCRIBE*

7   Seal that’s stoutest left female (6) ATTEST fATTEST

15 Agent from England, Bond’s boss is protecting Queen, for instance (8) EMISSARY {E}{M}{IS}{SA{R}Y}

16 Tea with austere minister (8) CHAPLAIN {CHA}{PLAIN}

18 Takes watch (8) STAKEOUT {TAKES}* [RA]

19 Choice given at building (7) VINTAGE*

21 In the morning, stared after leaving girl stunned (6) AMAZED {AM}{gAZED}

23 Step outside a lake castle (6) PALACE {P{A}{L}ACE}

24 Detectives chasing dashed off (6) RANCID {CID}<=>{RAN}

Reference List

Drug = E, Old = EX, Energy = E, Jack = J, The in French = LE, National = N, Director = D, Bathroom = LOO, Maiden = M, Line = L, American = A, Male = M, Female = F, England = E, Bond's boss = M, Queen = R, Girl = G, Lake = L

Special, Sunday 30 May 2021, Amrita

Lockdown Day 32 of 40 Stay Safe at home

Three answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

Enjoy.

The Sunday Crossword No 3152, Sunday 30 May 2021

Lockdown Day 32 of 40 Stay Safe at home

ACROSS

1   Zodiac sign contains 50 building blocks: they're to be read symbolically (10) ALLEGORIES {A{L}{LEGO}RIES}

6   Lying back, soaks in hot and steamy state (4) STEW<=

9   Drive time breaking Everyman in France; holiday about to be cancelled (10) MOTIVATION {MO{T}I}{VAcaTION}

10 No intro for jazz instruments (electric guitars) (4) AXES sAXES

11 Cartoon rodent drinking up brine mixed with a component of gin (7,5)  JUNIPER BERRY {JERRY} over {UP+BRINE}*

15 Bangkok: in a way, largely Asian city (7) OKINAWA [T]

16 Country's spies turned, lust comes first (2,5) ST LUCIA {CIA}<=>{LUST}*

17 On the phone, one who sells rings; for engagement, he needs a second (7) DUELLER (~jeweller)

19 Pray to tree, having taken hallucinogens (7) BESEECH {B{ES}EECH}

20 Italian football team stuck in lavatory with German man. Unknown? This is perennial! (6,6) WINTER CHERRY {W{INTER}C}{HERR}{Y}

23 In Oz, to get intimate with cricket captain (4) ROOT [DD]

24 Did gin and went berserk for tenth anniversary (3,7) TIN WEDDING {DID+GIN+WENT}*

25 Conceal whip (4) HIDE [DD]

26 Stands for peers, stern, jumped-up (10) REPRESENTS*

DOWN

1   Cockney causes injury with weapons (4) ARMS hARMS

2   I'd like to take part in ballet sometime (4) LETS [T]

3   Suspect vague cliques with forgotten question: help me out here! (4,2,1,4) GIVE US A CLUE {VAGUE+CLIqUES}* 

4   Some regrets in absorbing strong booze (7) RETSINA [T]

5   Australia missing 'reformed' parolees (they've run away) (7) ELOPERS PaROLEES*

7   HMRC device seeing dodge after unknown amount slipped into bill (3,7) TAX BRACKET{TA{X}B}{RACKET}

8   Feeble hope, year after year: getting clean (5-5) WISHY-WASHY {WISH}{Y}{WASH}{Y}

12 50% of global occupations involving American household fittings (11) BALUSTRADES {gloBAL}{US}{TRADES}

13 Wistful odist, romanticizing daffodils, seen wandering o'er rises toward host, primarily! (10) WORDSWORTH Acrostic &lit

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

14 With inward feet, slob takes long time to execute dance at first (6-4) PIGEON-TOED {PIG}{EON}{TO}{Ex...e}{Da..e}

18 Search for intelligence ... focus lacking, Everyman has to admit (7) RECEIVE {REcCE}{I'VE}

19 Conflict when Duke rejected redesigned wardrobe (4,3) BOER WAR WARdROBE*

21 Poster in which function's announced (4) SIGN (~sine)

22 Hi-tech Tokyo corporation on the rise for very long time (4) AGES<=

Reference List

50 = L, Time = T, I in French = MOI, About = CA, Lavatory = WC, Unknown = Y, Question = Q, Australia = A, Unknown amount = X, Year = Y, Duke = D

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday #39, Sunday 30 May 2021, Lightning

Lockdown Day 32 of 40 Stay Safe at home

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday can be accessed at the link given below. The interactive version at the link is free, you just need to sign in using an email ID and password, no subscription is required.

The crossword is not being blogged as the annotations are provided in the interactive version itself which can be seen if you click on 'Show a hint' under the 'reveal' tab on the top.

The same will be posted on every Sunday at 6 AM.

Link to the Crossword

Enjoy.

No 13260, Saturday 29 May 2021, Dr. X

 Lockdown day 31 of 40 Stay Safe at home

Across

1 Support a belief // like an Olympic runner might do? (5,3,5) CARRY THE TORCH (DD)
8 Become more active in social, taking girl away from jerk (3,2) HOT UP {HO{T Ug}P}?
9 Everyone transporting fish on island caught drunk (9) ALCOHOLIC {AL{COHO}L}{I}{C}
11 Prominent character abducted by a rebel slyly (10) REMARKABLE {A+REBEL*} around {MARK}

12 Finally Manchester United’s back in American city (4)  RENO {manchesteR}{ONE<=}
14 Clown outside old hotel in Turkish city (7) ANTIOCH {ANTI{O}C}{H}
16 Dilapidated gate outside poorly cultivated land (7) TILLAGE {GATE*} around {ILL}
17 Write about horn-shaped unit of the kidney (7) NEPHRON {PEN<=}{HORN*}
19 Price to acquire Chinese establishment’s latest mechanical device (7) RATCHET {RAT{CH}E}{establishmenT}
21 Hero in film essentially tackles con (4) IDOL {fI{DO}Lm}
22 Psychic pitman conveys alarm (4,6) MIND READER {MIN{D READ}ER}
25 One seen at bar heartily kissing attractive girls (4,5) SHOT GLASS {kisSing}{HOT}{G}{LASS}
26 Ancient Mesopotamian deity, left in back row (5) ENLIL {LI{L}NE<=} Thanks to Google

27 Business community welcomes reliable merger (13) CONSOLIDATION {CO}{N{SOLID}ATION}

Down

2 Push unfit mate to tackle a little tough exercise (7) ATTEMPT {MATE*} around {Tough}+{PT}
3 Extremes of rage, impudent love and passion — all an actor can portray (10) REPERTOIRE {RagE}{PERT}{O}{IRE}
4 Rogue’s about to steal one American diadem (5) TIARA {RAT<=} around {I}+{A}
5 One providing lift in a car, stolen perhaps, lacking number (9) ESCALATOR {A+CAR+STOLEn*}
6 Whoa! Hurricane engulfs Hawaiian island (4) OAHU (T)
7 Time to chase villain crossing large volcanic crater (7) CALDERA {CA{L}D}{ERA}
8 Callous, rash and reckless — facing troubles (4,2,5) HARD AS NAILS {RASH+AND*}{AILS}
10 It could be risky when high escort tottering around chamber gets a little loud (11) CHOLESTEROL {ESCORT*} around {HOLE} + {Loud}
13 Set the ball rolling! Good luck (3,3,4) ALL THE BEST {SET+THE+BALL*}
15 Giant goes berserk in auditorium! Damn (4,2,3) HANG IT ALL {H{GIANT*} ALL}
18 Free concert largely by rock singer (3,4) PRO BONO {PROm}{BONO}
20 Masked gangster shot Spanish gentleman (7) HIDALGO {HID}{AL}{GO}
23 Given a drug in rave-up, wanting new thrill (5) DOSED Anno not clear
24 Losing head, rants for a long time (4) AGES {rAGES}

 

Reference List

Girl=G, Island=I, Caught=C, Old=O, Hotel=H, Chinese=Ch, Girls=Glass(Girl=G&Lass), Left=L, Business=Co
Exercise=PT, Love=O, One=I, American=A, Number=N, Large=L, Gangster=Al

Colour/Font Scheme

Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Theme word,  Reference list word, Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Opposite indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous

 

No 13259, Friday 28 May 2021, Dr. X

Lockdown day 30 of 40 Stay Safe at home

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS ON FRIDAYS ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only

The regular blog will replace the clues at 4 PM.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

1   Be obvious to smirk about Mark getting dismissed by amateur (5,3,1,4) STICK OUT A MILE {S{TICK}{OUT}{A}MILE}

8   Outlandish falsehood in article (5) ALIEN {A{LIE}N}

9   Popular island facing hill — place of growing culture (9) INCUBATOR {IN}{CUBA}{TOR}

11 It’s about weary workers facing end of employment (10) RETIREMENT {RE}{TIRE}{MEN}{e...nT} &lit

12 Military cap given by king, most majestic (4) KEPI {K}{EPIc}

14 Stuntman in feat, clutching rifle on top of airplane (7) ACROBAT {AC{ROB}{Ai...e}T}

16 Purify emaciated son in church (7) CLEANSE {C{LEAN}{S}E}

17 Intern bustling around hospital, becoming scrawnier (7) THINNER {T{H}INNER*}

19 Fairly big rope securing rig at sea (7) LARGISH {LA{RIG*}SH}

21 Man cutting, trimming different trees (4) ELMS {EL{M}Se}

22 In the open, treating a lion, doctor’s in a risky situation (3,2,1,4) OUT ON A LIMB {OUT}{A+LION}*{MB}

25 Inflexible loop in medical tube (9) STRINGENT {ST{RING}ENT}

26 Lacking doctor, worker on oil rig becomes sicker (5) ILLER drILLER

27 Old master got rash over middle of thigh — whom to consult? (13) DERMATOLOGIST {OLD+MASTER+GOT}* over {thIgh} Semi&lit

DOWN

2   Journalist finally writes about dishonest person (7) TWISTER {j...sT}{WRITES*}

3   Smuggling racket on craft backed by gang (10) CONTRABAND {CON}{ART<=}{BAND}

4   Love revolting dirt about leading industrialist in disgrace (5) ODIUM {0}{MU{In...t}D<=}

5   Professional cheat slyly ensnares most lovely girl at last (9) TECHNICAL {TECH{NICe}A*}{girL}

6   Tramp around one town in Nigeria (4) MUBI {BUM<=}{1}

7   Most dangerous to consume drug, one essentially causing forgetfulness (7) LETHEAN {LETH{E}Al}{oNe} Thanks to Google

8   It’s smarter perhaps to pack a bed that’s inflatable (3,8) AIR MATTRESS {ITS+SMARTER}* over {A}

10 What an ambitious pole vaulter might do to set a higher standard? (5,3,3) RAISE THE BAR [DD]

13 Withdrawing from group consuming ecstasy at party (10) RETREATING {R{E}{TREAT}ING}

15 Disorderly system backed criminal framing university student (9) TURBULENT {RUT<=}{B{U}{L}ENT}

18 Single maiden beginning to step into lake for dip (7) IMMERSE {1}{M}{MER{Step}E}

20 Essentially dice and slice bananas to make frozen stuff (7) ICICLES {dICe}{SLICE*}

23 Concoct algorithm partly relating to base-8 number system (5) OCTAL [T]

24 Steeped in tradition, a Malayali festival (4) ONAM [T] Semi&lit

Reference List

Amateur = A, Popular = IN, About = RE, King = K, Son = S, Church = CE. Hospital = H, Man = M, Doctor = MB, DR,  Love = 0, Drug = E, Ecstasy = E, University = U, Student = L, Maiden = M, Lake = MERE

No 13258, Thursday 27 May 2021. Dr. X

Lockdown Day 29 of 40 Stay Safe at home

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   Girl having fling with member in group — situation that’s hotting up? (6,7) GLOBAL WARMING {G{LOB}AL}{W{ARM}ING}

8   Reviewing riverside modernistic houses shaped like a vault (5) DOMED [T<=]

9   Turn to welcome couple of graduates in old school (4,5) ALMA MATER {AL{MA}{MA}TER}

11 Surviving at the end, stifled by spin (10) OUTLASTING {OUT{LAST}ING}

12 Fiend grabbing woman in court (4) FAWN {FA{W}N}

14 Phenomena in air enthralling men at Pole (7) AURORAS {AUR{OR}A}{S}Semi&lit

16 Grim men seek to save Titanic (7) IMMENSE [T]

17 Worried after student disregarded restriction to copy (7) IMITATE {ATE}<=>{lIMIT}

19 Time perhaps to admit displeasure about retired professors (7) EMERITI {EM{IRE<=}TI*}

21 Heartily catch fish in stream (4) TIDE {caTch}{IDE}

22 Bananas in abundance, cultivated over farmlands essentially (10) UNBALANCED {ABUNDANCE}* over {f..mLa..s}

25 Spot-on in spreading rumours, maiden left tickled pink (9) RAPTUROUS {APT} in {RUmOURS}*

26 Emotional daughter abandons meal (5) INNER dINNER

27 Grouchy stepmother ill-treated Rose (5-8) SHORT-TEMPERED {STEPMOTHER}*{RED}

DOWN

2   Largely upset about tackling spark in restricted circuit (7) L?M?T?R (Addendum - LIMITER {eLI{MITE}R<=} - See comments)

3   Dreadful time characterised by nasty shock? (3,4,3) BAD HAIR DAY [C&DD]

4   Tipped the French worker (5) LEANT {LE}{ANT}

5   Precious stone given by a fellow on date in bar (9) ALMANDINE {A}{L{MAN}{D}INE}

6   Eminem rocks, releasing trendy viral sensation (4) MEME EMinEM*

7   Agent, lively and popular, shows profit after costs (3,4) NET GAIN {AGENT*}{IN}

8   What a cricketer hates to do — ditch a model (4,1,6) DROP A SITTER {DROP}{A}{SITTER}

10 One used by gunner or forest official to tackle dreadful fiend (5-6) RANGE-FINDER {RANGE{FIEND*}R}

13 Crucial ring stolen in exciting pirate movie (10) IMPERATIVE {PIRATE+MoVIE}*

15 Tough job for upright member on board (5,4) STERN POST {STERN}{POST}

18 Thorough director hampered by incompetent hero primarily (2-5) IN-DEPTH {IN{D}EPT}{Hero}

20 Excite by scent (7) INCENSE [DD]

23 Pumas safely conserved around Indian state (5) ASSAM [T<=]

24 What dentist uses to scrape around base of incisor? (4) BURR {RUB<=}{i...oR} &lit

Reference List

Woman = W, Men = OR(Other ranks), Pole = S, Student = L, Maiden = M, Daughter = D, The in French = LE, Date = D, Trendy = IN, Director = D 

GRID SAME AS YESTERDAY

No 13257, Wednesday 26 May 2021, Dr. X

Lockdown Day 28 of 40 Stay Safe

Solution to 24D 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   A wife oft berates poor husband for worthless talk (5,2,6) WASTE OF BREATH {A+W+OFT+BERATES}*{H}

8   Aim to catch glimpse of rare goat-antelope (5) GORAL {GO{Rare}AL}

9   Practical to separate on reflection, consumed by devastating malice (9) EMPIRICAL {EM{RIP<=}ICAL*}

11 Perhaps I too can win award for business (10) OCCUPATION {I+TOO+CAN}* over {CUP}

12 Lie back after drinking strong punch (4) BIFF {F{F}IB<=}

14 Criminal in fact sheltering a militant (7) FANATIC {IN+FACT}* over {A}

16 Reputable university’s predicament — radicals primarily toppling Left (7) UPRIGHT {U}{P(-l+r}RIGHT}

17 Channel features film showing home for the terminally ill (7) HOSPICE {HOS{PIC}E}

19 Onset of myasthenia embodied by sharp tremor (7) TREMBLE {TRE{My...a}BLE}

21 Make up for time lost? Excellent (1-3) A-ONE AtONE

22 Emotional poet in a mess after inhaling dope (10) PASSIONATE {POET+IN+A{* over {ASS}

25 Reporter’s lament about going after rascal conducting scam (9) RACONTEUR {RUE<=}<=>{RA{CON}T}

26 Essentially crave to get high in any way (2,3) AT ALL {crAve}{TALL}

27 Defeat easily and holler, winning a match to dance endlessly (4,3,6) BEAT ONE HOLLOW {BE{A}{TONE}{HOp}LLOW}

DOWN

2   One from Nigeria, say, most wealthy, welcomed by a follower (7) AFRICAN {A}{RICh}{FAN}

3   Elite rogue conducting course primarily claims to be psychic (10) TELEPATHIC {TELE{PATH}I*}{Cl...s}

4   Noticeable hangover, totally drunk (5) OVERT [T]

5   Artfully cut by fencing move in consequence (9) BYPRODUCT {CUT+BY}* over {PROD}

6   Time to welcome leading Zionist, a Hebrew prophet (4) EZRA {E{Zi...t}RA}

7   Revolutionary fashion leader in gathering (7) TUCKING {CUT<=}{KING}

8   Stop broadcasting buffoon’s article in show (2,3,3,3) GO OFF THE AIR {GOOF}{F{THE}AIR}

10 What a bridegroom might do to reveal a secret? (4,3,4) LIFT THE VEIL [DD]

13 Go down to arrest men after bar brawl (4-3-3) FREE-FOR-ALL {F{REEF}{OR}ALL}

15 Australia’s opener inside crease, bowled by an unorthodox delivery (9) CAESAREAN {C{Au...n}ESARE*}{AN}

18 Plant in case decomposing without source of light (7) SANICLE {IN+CASE}* over {Li..t}

20 Bachelor party, endless commotion and bluster (7) BRAVADO {B}{RAVe}{ADO}

23 Rush all over the place to secure a twilled fabric of silk (5) SURAH {SUR{A}H*}

24 Outfit includes new tie (4) ?N?T (Addendum - KNIT {K{N}IT} - See comments)

Reference List

Wife = W, Husband = H, Strong = F, University = U, Left = L, Time = T, Men = OR(Other ranks), Bachelor = B, Party = RAVE, New = N 

No 13256, Tuesday 25 May 2021, KrisKross

Lockdown Day 27 of 40 Stay Safe

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   A new stamp I designed, helping to identify unwanted mail (4-4) ANTI-SPAM {A+N+STAMP+I}*

5   When discussing failure, is more relaxed (6) LOOSER (~loser)

9   Oldster tailored clothes — a set of exercise clothes (8) LEOTARDS {OLDSTER}* over {A}

10 Entertainer at hotel — one with spirit (6) DJINNI {DJ}{INN}{1}

12 Engineer answers a riddle at last, demonstrating knowledge (9) AWARENESS {ANSWERS+A+r...lE}*

13 You would love to be shot by him (5) CUPID [CD]

14 Doctor dies in the middle of the month (4) IDES*

16 Self-destruction of team, reportedly, after losing final set in match (7) SUICIDE (~side){CIDE}<=>{SUIt}

19 Feed egg to one about to enter a water body (3,4) OIL CAKE {O}{1}{L{C}AKE}

21 Youngster’s casual shirt with name (4) TEEN {TEE}{N}

24 Squeal angrily, missing school match (5) EQUAL sQUEAL*

25 Entrance Lords with the smashing, captivating hundred on debut (9) THRESHOLD {LORDS+THE}* over {Hu...d}

27 Game is rigged — it indicates bias (6) AGEISM*

28 Australian native agreeable about accepting a transplanted organ (8) KANGAROO {K{A}{ORGAN*}O<=}

29 Relief coming to a stop after leader quits (6) EASING cEASING

30 Celebrities — a common sight in crowded restaurants? (8) NOTABLES {NO TABLES}

DOWN

1   Bright girl taken in by a cunning male (6) AGLEAM {A}{G}{MALE*}

2   Unfortunate dismissal over a poor grade (3,3) T?O ?A?  (Addendum - TOO-BAD {BOOT<=}{A}{D} -  See comments)

3   Wine from Corso Avenue (5) SOAVE [T]

4   Location of diamonds in a deck (7) ADDRESS {A}{D}{DRESS}

6   KrisKross has to chase career / job etc. in the end (9) OBJECTIVE {I'VE}<=>{JOB+ETC}*

7   Outline of first sketch by sibling : “Horse climbing” (8) SYNOPSIS {Sk...h}{PONY<=}{SIS} (Correction - {Sk...h} by {SIS}{PONY}<= See comments)

8   Tower of gifts? (8) REINDEER [CD]

11 Calls for some desks and counters (4) ASKS [T<=]

15 Lady dines sloppily, showing gluttony perhaps (6,3) DEADLY SIN*

17 Report completed in lock-up (8) COVERAGE {C{OVER}AGE}

18 Unfortunate result of people breaking rules (8) FLOUTERS*

20 Food in park after cycling (4) EATS (-s)EAT(+s)S

21 Too darn windy — could be a storm (7) TORNADO*

22 Author in the end opens pink pen (6) CORRAL {COR{a...oR}AL}

23 Bill wears accessories (3-3) ADD-ONS {AD}{DONS}

26 Character in Athens, 27, surprisingly lacking energy (5) SIGMA AGeISM*

Reference List

New = N, About = C, Name = N, School = S, Girl = G, Poor grade = D, Diamonds = D, Bill = AD, Energy = E

No 13255, Monday 24 May 2021, Afterdark

Lockdown Day 26 of 40 Stay Safe

Solution to 1A 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   Right conditions almost to save energy, primarily engineering a car feature (5,8) ?O?E? S?E?R?N? (Addendum - POWER STEERING {POWER}{ST{E}{En...g}RINGs} - See comments)

10 Variation in spell, incoming ball on length, ending in wide (9) TOLERANCE {T{O}{L}{widE}RANCE}

11 Yes child, travel on top of boat (5) YACHT {YA}{CH}{Tr...l}

12 Impostor not quiet, left on top becomes a flop (5) LOSER (-p)OSER<=>{L}

13 Brilliance client somehow overcomes constraint; overturns (9) INTELLECT (IN{LET<=}LECT*}

14 Nothing managed, was unwilling (6) NILLED {NIL}{LED}

16 Truth is basically reassuring, using logic’s essential (4) RULE Acrostic

19 Choose against old, time to get energetic primarily (4) VOTE {V}{O}{T}{En...c}

20 Buzzer’s out, working basically; else scream (6) BELLOW {BELL}{O}{Wo...g}

25 Permit writer at town, but topless (9) AUTHORITY {AUTHOR}{cITY}

26 Car reverses over one; almost meat (5) BACON {CAB<=}{ONe}

27 Elephant on edge, or some injury on top of trunks (5) TORSI {e...nT}{OR}{Some}{In...y}

28 Rule’s strong but suitable to live in (9) HABITABLE {HABIT}{ABLE}

29 Slander sadist, slam for wickedness (13) DASTARDLINESS*

DOWN

2   Perhaps solemnly (or appearing so); who? silly, stupid (8) OWLISHLY*

3   Electric car (posh) only with Romania; it’s a mistake (5) ERROR {E}{RR}{O}{R}

4   Naturally bright or a bit slightly dark (6) SUNLIT {Sl...y}{UNLIT}

5   One who picks a team cycles with voters (8) ELECTORS (-s)ELECTOR(+s)S

6   In other words, you’ll bear the colour (5,4) ROYAL BLUE*

7   Steal drug and money (6) NICKEL {NICK}{E}L L from?

8   Instal new leader... (6) STALIN*

9   ... tell country (5) STATE [DD]

15 Mixed emotions about, about someone like Adam Smith (9) ECONOMIST {EMOTIONS}* over {C}

17 Make out with date here, pic will be distributed (8) DECIPHER {D+HERE+PIC}*

18 Inert medications, part spurious to begin with, having boron and oxygen (8) PLACEBOS {PLACE}{B}{O}{Sp...s}

21 Victor’s woman? Secret (6) WINNER {W}{INNER}

22 Side’s average, totally soulless (5) PARTY {PAR}{To...lY}

23 Bones are hard with adults (6) STERNA {STERN}{A}

24 Character of bad boys having some money's low (6) SYMBOL {SY{M}BO*}{L}

26 Staff not declaring (5) BATON {BAT ON}

Reference List

Energy = E, Ball = O, Length = L, Child = CH, Quiet = P, Against = V, Old = O, Time = T, Out = O, Electric = E, Car RR(Rolls Royce), Only = O, Drug = E, About = C, Date = D, Woman = W, Adult = A, Money = M, Low = L

Special, Sunday 23 May 2021, Guns

Lockdown Day 25 of 40 Stay Safe

Welcome to our new setter GUNS (PS- He is over 90 years old). Bouquets welcome, No brickbats.

Three answers per commenter till 6 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

Enjoy.

The Sunday Crossword No 3151, Sunday 23 May 2021

Lockdown Day 25 of 40 Stay Safe

ACROSS

1   Iron edicts, fierce instructions (10) DIRECTIONS*

6   Regularly reimburse Australian natives (4) EMUS rEiMbUrSe

9   FBI agent hollers for Spooner and associates (10) BEDFELLOWS (~ fed bellows)

10 Loudly performed hornpipe for navy? (4) BLUE (~blew)

12 Celebratory music describing monarchs with horrible droning (8,4) DRINKING SONG {DRIN{KINGS}ONG*}

15 Makes peer and earl run away from home, twice (7) EQUATES {E}{QUArTErS}

16 Primarily strongly tasting, it's legally trademarked (of necessity!) (7) STILTON Acrostic &lit

17 Sheep cries about what pig becomes in the islands (7) BAHAMAS {BA{HAM}AS}

19 Earnest European getting behind how metric system counts (7) INTENSE {E}<=>{IN TENS}

20 Where music heard awfully regularly, carry tune? Can do! (7,5) COUNTRY DANCE {CaRrY+TUNE+CAN+DO}*

23 With temperature dropping, blended Tokay wine may taste like this (4) OAKY tOKAY*

24 Hobnobs and a slice is so refreshing (10) SOCIALISES*

25 Protective cover idiot's pulled back (4) TARP<=

26 A glutton, Stu baked goods earlier including piping (6,4) GREEDY GUTS  {STU*}<=>{G}{REEDY}{G}

DOWN

1   Smears fingerprints (4) DABS [DD]

2   Republicans: 'Commies!' (4) REDS [D]

3   O my! The carrot, surprisingly: technically a fruit! (6,6) CHERRY TOMATO*

4   At first, not doing splendidly for 'Months in Islam': '... Christmas, Easter etc?' (7) ISLANDS {ISLAm}{Not}{Do..g}{Sp...y}

5   Beginners understood insects, we're told (7) NEWBIES (~knew bees)

7   French 'pain': ingredients make you bellyacher (10) MALCONTENT {MAL}{CONTENT}

8   Arrest Fred's accomplice for something spicy (4,6) STEM GINGER {STEM}{GINGER}

11 In self-centred fashion, off I go, etc? I'll say! (12) EGOISTICALLY*

13 Robots care about language (5-5) SERBO-CROAT*

14 President and spin doctor getting something to eat in Australia (4,6) BUSH TUCKER {BUSH}{TUCKER}

18 Henry's wife certainly upset when beheaded, love (7) SEYMOUR {YES<=}{aMOUR}

19 A strong drink imbibed by Everyman, twice: fancy that! (7) IMAGINE {I}{M{A}{GIN}E}

21 Isaac's son given some thesaurus (4) ESAU [T]

22 No time for chores: big ones are onerous! (4) ASKS tASKS

Reference List

Earl = E, Runs = R, European = E, Temperature = T, Good = G,  Month = M, Pain in French = MAL, Time = T

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday #38, Sunday 23 May 2021, Afterdark

Lockdown Day 25 of 40 Stay Safe

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday can be accessed at the link given below. The interactive version at the link is free, you just need to sign in using an email ID and password, no subscription is required.

The crossword is not being blogged as the annotations are provided in the interactive version itself which can be seen if you click on 'Show a hint' under the 'reveal' tab on the top.

The same will be posted on every Sunday at 6 AM.

Link to the Crossword

Enjoy.

No 13254, Saturday 22 May 2021, Vulcan

Lockdown Day 24 of 40 Stay Safe

Across

1 Narrated what turned out to be an order endorsing capital punishment (5,7) DEATH WARRANT {NARRATED+WHAT*}
10 A student carrying guns — shocked (7) ALARMED {A}{L}{ARMED}
11 Settled down and I consumed stuff (7) SATIATE {SAT}{I}{ATE}
12 Working in a group that has no leader (6)  ACTION {fACTION}
13 Replace petitioner after one leaves (8) SUPPLANT {SUPPLiANT}
15 A medical college starting to become famous (9) ACCLAIMED {A+MEDICAL+College*}
16 Budget everything ahead of overtime (5) ALLOT {ALL}{OT}
17 Filthy neighbourhood, basically a pigpen (5) NASTY {Neighbourhood}{A}{STY}
19 They are not the winners and they are not losers either (7-2) RUNNERS-UP (CD)
22 It is a rum used for dessert (8) TIRAMISU {IT+IS+A+RUM*}
24 Trouble about a US soldier being slow (6) ADAGIO {AD{A}{GI}O}
26 Topic in church that’s more appropriate? (7) CHAPTER {CH}{APTER}
27 Card/note perhaps for a flammable liquid (7) ACETONE {ACE}{NOTE*}
28 Preferring a particular group playing in the concert (12) ETHNOCENTRIC {IN+THE+CONCERT*}

Down

2 It stretches, expands, primarily — first off, flexible (7) ELASTIC {Expands}{pLASTIC}
3 Brief time, special, cut short before the end of holiday (9) TEMPORARY {TEMPO}{RARe}{holidaY}
4 Some new ideas — comprehensive (4) WIDE (T)
5 Huge echoing (10) RESOUNDING (DD)
6 Misbehave in a Northern state — caught (3,2) ACT UP {A{CT} UP}
7 Pursue a victory through hard work (7) TRAVAIL {TR{A}{V}AIL}
8 A section of Anaheim, an amazing city (6) MANAMA (T)
9 Popular song to remain at the top of Indian chart finally (4,2) BEAT IT {BEAT}{I}{charT}

14 Producer, one working in Paris and Rome (10) IMPRESARIO {I}{PARIS+ROME*}
16 Addition of a couple of guys around daytime (9) AMENDMENT {A}{MEN}{D}{MEN}{T}
17 Fine collection of books in review (6) NOTICE {N{OT}ICE}
18 Browse one side (7) SURFACE {SURF}{ACE}
20 Italian men of different origins (7) SIGNORI {ORIGINS*}
21 Accepted right after professional training (6) PROPER {PRO}{PE}{R}
23 Rival pair (5) MATCH (DD)
25 Price is reasonable, say (4) FARE {~FAIR}

Reference List

Student=L, One=I, Overtime=OT, US Soldier=GI, Church=Ch
Northern state=UP, Caught=Ct, Victory=V, Indian=I, One=I, Day=D, Time=T, Books=OT, One=Ace, Right=R. Professional=Pro, Training=PE

Colour/Font Scheme

Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Theme word,  Reference list word, Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Opposite indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous