The Sunday Crossword No 3320, Sunday 18 Aug 2024

ACROSS

1   Topless stunts engrossing husband in dockers’ milieu (6) WHARFS (-d)W(+h)HARFS

4   It must be approximately a foot in length (4,4) SHOE TREE [CD]

9   Again give credence to description of Navy Seals outfit? (9) RECONFIRM {RECON}{FIRM}

11 Somewhat anti-German, this beast (5) TIGER [T]

12 Non-drinker wearing beam? No: irritable! (5) RATTY {RA{TT}Y}

14 Having chewed escallops, comes to premature end (9) COLLAPSES*

15 Standard wedding feature in Britain: bold drunkard, first to trip (8,5) BLUSHING BRIDE {IN}{GB}<=> {B}{LUSH} and {RIDE} 

18 Avoiding adventurousness, having eaten dishes of bananas (2,3,4,4) ON THE SAFE SIDE*

20 Looking up and swearing (9) PROMISING [DD]

22 Stiff clothing Everyman had (5) RIGID {RIG}{I'D}

23 Primarily antisocial, leerily offish or frosty? (5) ALOOF Acrostic &lit

24 Showed approval of France (wasn’t paying attention) (6,3) NODDED OFF {NODDED}{OF}{F}

26 Tactful and distinct in pronouncement (8) DISCREET (~discrete)

27 Pot-head, one preparing apricots? (6) STONER [DD]

DOWN

1   Struggle, insanely bored: it’s what you have to wear (8) WARDROBE {WAR}{BORED*}

2   Bow stored in cedar chest (3) ARC [T]

3   Model wearing elaborate headgear: wow! (5,4) FANCY THAT  {T} in {FANCY HAT}

5   He’d gab and grumble affectedly – tried to subtly impress (6-7) HUMBLE-BRAGGED {HED+GAB+GRUMBLE}*

6   More paintings etc by O’Keeffe finally put up (5) EXTRA {ART}{X}{o...fE}<=

7   Sinking in Tigris, green, flailing (11) REGISTERING*

8   Go back, not initially finding exit (6) EGRESS rEGRESS

10 Before perhaps, ladies in trouble (13) INCONVENIENCE {CONVENIENCE}<=>{IN}

13 Like forward planning a mass exodus (11) TAUTOLOGOUS Cheated on this one. [Definition by example]

16 Seriously, I’m approaching Robin’s home (2,7) IN EARNEST {I}{NEAR}{NEST}

17 Goes to join with senior teachers’ backing (5,3) HEADS FOR {FOR}<=>{HEADS}

19 In the wrong order, finally arrive in hilly area (6) UPLAND {LAND<=>UP}

21 Conclude fashionable arbiter must be sent up (5) INFER {IN}{REF<=}

25 Possess fancy item of clothing that’s no good (3) OWN gOWN

Reference List

Husband = H, Non-drinker = TT, Britain = GB, Bold = B, France = F, Model = T, By = X, Fashionable = IN, Good = G