Solution to 23A 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 Terribly bad effort, conceding bishop in exchange (5-3) TRADE-OFF {bAD+EFFORT}*
5 Cocktail, if iced is divine (6) DEIFIC*
10 Obsession with models introduced by excellent car manufacturer (7) BUGATTI {BUG}{A{TT}1}
11 Introduce upper-class woman at club briefly (5,2) USHER IN {U}{SHE}{RINg}
12 Crushed by asinine verdict? Not at all (5) NEVER [T]
13 Arouse a little in order to have sex (9) TITILLATE {A+LITTLE}* over {IT} Semi&lit
14 Oh, hoarder is excitedly keeping money in piles (12) HAEMORRHOIDS {OH+HOARDER+IS} over {M}
18 Reverend, I go crazy after drinking liquor - my job's on the line! (6,6) ENGINE DRIVER {REVEREND+I}* over {GIN}
21 Hurry up and dance (5,1,3) SHAKE A LEG [DD]
23 Back starting to pain in a spot (5) A?O?T (Addendum - ADOPT {A}{DO{Pain}T} - See comments))
24 Sister having trouble getting good power tool (4,3) NAIL GUN {N{AIL}{G}UN}
25 Pick up traveller smuggling ecstasy and cocaine (7) RECOVER {R{E}{C}OVER}
26 Female crushed by miserable review, in tears (6) DASHES {DA{SHE}S<=}
DOWN
1 Container aboard boat for recreational activity on water (6) TUBING {TU{BIN}G}
3 Put up with poor internet around area (9) ENTERTAIN {ENTERT{A}IN*}
4 Expose hustler involved in cheating? OK (4,2,8) FAIR TO MIDDLING {F{AIR}{TOM}IDDLING}
6 The sly rogue wants special type of alcohol (5) ETHYL {THE+sLY}*
7 Develop a detailed procedure to make preservative (8) FORMALIN {FORM}{A}{LINe}
8 Italian noble cheating with beauty in retreat (8) CONTESSA {CON}{ASSET<=}
9 Articulate fellow involved in spree getting embarrassed and clumsy (14) BUTTERFINGERED {B{UTTER}{F}INGE}{RED}
15 Chief priests in shire, assembled around dome (9) HIERARCHS {HIER{ARCH}S*}
16 Start to appreciate boy in family becoming mature (8) SEASONED {SE{Ap...e}{SON}ED}
19 Legends touring posh Vatican art museum (6) LOUVRE {LO{U}{V}RE}
20 Seabird aboard steamship poops (6) STERNS {S{TERN}S}
Reference List
Bishop - B, Model = T, Upper-class = U, Sex = IT, Money = M, Good = G, Ecstasy = E, Cocaine = C, Many = L, Area = A, Special = S, Fellow = F, Posh = U, Vatican = V, Steamship = SS, Maiden = M
Formalin- I could never think of it as a preservative. Our minds go towards jam etc., but then we have to remind ourselves that Doc.is setting the CW!!
ReplyDeleteSlightly tougher than yesterday?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete23A. Back = ADOPT. P (first letter of "pain") inside A DOT = a spot
Happy Birthday Dr. X
ReplyDelete+1 have a gr8 day
Delete+2
DeleteCol.'s Birthday?
DeleteThank you for your good wishes!
DeleteBest Wishes for a very Happy Birthday and many many Happy returns of the Day Doc.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paddy!
DeleteHappy birthday, Dr..I could graduate from frustration to be able to solve majority of the clues, thou, our adrenaline pumps-)
ReplyDelete..
Thanks Gemini!
DeleteDear Dr X
ReplyDeleteBeing a SEASONED setter, several of your clues ENTERTAIN and TITILLATE us. Happy returns and wish you a great year ahead! 💐
Thanks for your wishes Ramesh
DeleteTougher one compared to yesterday's crossword. New words for me 4D and 22D. Many Happy Returns of The DAY - Dr.X.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr Prasad :)
Delete