No 14398, Tuesday 04 Jan 2025, Karaoke

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. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Sounds like interest-free, blessed? (6) S?C?E? (Addendum - SACRED (~ sake rid) - See comments)

4   Falls miserably wearing fashionable clothing (4-4) HALF-SLIP {H{FALLS*}IP}

9   Some invigilator chides for bloomer (6) ORCHID [T]

10 Awfully mistaken king leaves for female show (8) MANIFEST {MISTA(-k+f)FEN}*

12 Look for our chat show (8) DISCLOSE DISC{+lo-our)LOSE

13 Odd time to get off horse for grapevine (6) RUMOUR {RUM}{hOUR}

15 Say this when you are surprised or when you couldn't solve the crossword (5,4,2) WORDS FAIL ME [DD]

18 They carry babies with them - Bothersome toddlers mainly perhaps (7-2-2) MOTHERS-TO-BE {BOTHERSOME+To...s}*

21 Consumer's right recognized by court (6) CLIENT {C{LIEN}T}

22 Fresh Indian drink is taken through the mouth (8) ORIGINAL {OR{I}{GIN}AL}

24 Wife spent time with company's money for squawk box (8) INTERCOM {wINTER}{CO}{M}

25 It gives pleasure when bird cuddles chick heartily (6) HEROIN {HERO{chIck}N}

26 Compound interest essentially a point to work out (8) ATROPINE {intERest+A+POINT}*

27 Till inside compounds in conflict (2,4) AT ODDS {A{TO}DDS}

DOWN

1   Climax of blue film at the beginning (8) SHOWDOWN {DOWN}<=>{SHOW}

2   Overconfident Spooner's hit therapy (8) COCKSURE (~sock cure to cocksure)

3   Special beedis with finishing touch of herbal. They are fit for consumption (7) EDIBLES {BEEDIS+h...aL}*

5   Unfortunately, model leaves Titan (4) ALAS AtLAS

6   An unsuccessful person just cuts short, come-on! (7) FAILURE {FAIr}{LURE}

7   Will one heartless criminal keep out of sight? (3,3) LIE LOW {WILL+OnE}*

8   Safe bet finally won by counterpart (5) PETER {PE{beT}ER}

11 Mind-reading skill of editorial essence, it is useful in making paper (7) ESPARTO {ESP}{ART}{e..tOr..l}

14 It has problems arising from rhubarb, eglantine (7) ALGEBRA [T<=]

16 It is borrowed from another language after resolving an old row (4-4) LOAN-WORD*

17 Says no to drinks initially coming with fake license (8) DECLINES {Dr...s}{LICENSE*}

18 Catch phrase by soft seductive woman (7) MANTRAP {MANTRA}{P}

19 Table, most comfortable, not new (7) SUGGEST SnUGGEST

20 Pine tree cut perhaps for one who consumes selectively (6) DIETER {DIE}{TREe*}

21 Language spoken by a neighbouring country (5) CHINA {CHIN}{A}

23 Find a new word for money (4) COIN [DD]

Reference List

Fashionable = HIP, King = K, Female = F, Look = LO, Horse = H, Court = CT, Indian = I, Wife = W, Company = CO, Money = M, Till = TO, Model = T, Soft = P, New = N

No 14397, Monday 03 Feb 2025, Gussalufz

Solution to 14A 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. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

LOVE?

ACROSS

1   Grant from a Dutch university (5) ADMIT {A}{D}{MIT}

4   Pompous, abrupt old city staff (9) BOMBASTIC {BOMBAy}{STICk}

9   Common cold heralded by nasty green drips essentially (7) GENERIC {C}<=>{GREEN*}{drIps}

10 Launch platform, say, packaging trendy wife (7) SHIPWAY {S{HIP}{W}AY}

11 The Spanish swimmer is playful (6) ELFISH {EL}{FISH}

12 Never ceasing to rip my art and craft? (8) TRIMARAN {To+RIp+My+ARt+ANd}

14 Good man, embracing wife, rejected fling (4) T?S?

15 Justice, etc., maybe from savage carrot-and-stick gal not lacking in drama? (5,5) TAROT CARDS {CARROT+AnD+STick}*

18 Caught cook to request aloo tikkis? (10) CROQUETTES {C}{TO+REQUEST}*

19 "Release me!" snapped the thing (4) EMIT {ME<=}{IT}

22 Wreck lingerie, snagging one too small in size (8) RECKLING [T]

24 Younger journalist overexerting, last to leave after work (6) JUNIOR JOURNalIst*

26 Sob! Bamboo may be periodically chopped around trees (7) BAOBABS {SoB+bAmBoO+mAy+Be}<=

27 Potential double blows after wicket (5-2) WOULD-BE {DOUBLE}*<=>{W}

28 Extremely spiteful punk in destruction-mode inherently (9) UNKINDEST [T]

29 Feel sorry for beheaded bird (5) EGRET rEGRET 

DOWN

1   Swell golden dress a royal discarded (7) AUGMENT {AU}{GarMENT}

2   Declaration from fellow: "I party, love" (9) MANIFESTO {MAN}{I}{FEST}{O}

3   So, after drinking a bit of rum with a joint, drive? (6) THRUST {TH{Rum}US}{T}

4   Left out of dark side? (4) BACK BlACK

5   Grew quiet and dwelled after a letter from Greece (10) MUSHROOMED {SH}{ROOMED}<=>{MU}

6   Unreasonable G.M. fired from board opening vacancy in Munich (1,3,4) A BIT MUCH {gAmBIT}{MUniCH}

7   Building a railway engine, perhaps (5) TOWER [DD]

8   Oddly, curry helpings without guidance create "outbursts" (7) CRYINGS {CuRrY}{helpINGS}

13 Hang on, want ideas treated on virtue, ultimately (4,3,3) WAIT AND SEE {WANT+IDEAS}*{v...rE}

16 Sleep well beyond one, tucked in and getting rest (9) REMAINDER {REM}{A{1}ND}{ER}

17 Surpass in training? Not until we can run regularly (8) OUTLEARN {nOt+UnTiL+wE+cAn+RuN}

18 A beast of a vehicle I purchased, 50% off! (7) CARIBOU {CAR}{I}{BOUght}

20 Cycling coach gets tense with anxiety (7) TORMENT {(-men)TOR(+men)MEN}{T}

21 Tense medical procedure strongly putting out chief of surgery (6) FUTURE {F}{sUTURE} (Correction - (-s+f)FUTURE - See comments)

23 Grandfather possibly shut up after a sip of codeine (5) CLOCK {LOCK}<=>{Co...e}

25 Secretly start without bothersome person (4) TWIT [T]

Reference List

Dutch = D, Cold = C, Trendy = HIP, The in Spanish = EL, Wife = W, Caught = C, Wicket = W, Royal = R, Joint = T, Left = L, Quiet = SH, Sleep = REM, Well = ER, Strongly = F

Special, Sunday 02 Feb 2025, Ghaza

Three answers per commenter till 1 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 3343, Sunday 02 Feb 2025

ACROSS

1   No trace of husband or nephew in Hibernia or lands further south (6) IBERIA hIBERnIA

5   Six slices of tripe set alongside old Spanish bread (6) PESETA [T]

8   Spooner tells us one seasoning food’s approaching being delightful (2,4,2,3) AS NICE AS PIE (~ a spicer's nigh to as nice as pie)

11 Scarlet towers over not-so-bright stars (3,6) RED DWARFS {RED}{DWARFS}

12 Overly loud American, looking back, going on (5) AFOOT {TOO}{F}{A}<=

13 Philippine city’s enthralling student paper (7) MANILLA {MANIL{L}A}

14 They split – to do the reverse! (7) ELOPERS (Run away to join) 

15 Called out: Starter’s cooking – taste? (7) SOUPCON (~soup's on)

17 Earl, scoundrel, overcome by booze, making misstep (7) ERRATUM {E}{R{RAT}UM}

20 Morning deity rejected doctrine (5) DOGMA {AM}{GOD}<=

21 Quack, then maraud wildly in a kind of story (9) DOCUDRAMA {DOC}{MARAUD*}

22 Creating three of M*A*S*H’s characters? (11) ASTERISKING Definition by example

23 Bride’s delirious, in bits (6) DEBRIS*

24 In southeast, Dutch to leave S African grassland thin (6) SVELTE {S{VELdT}E}

DOWN

2   Solve this clue to beget grand urban construction! (11,4) BRANDENBURG GATE* &lit

3   Second life for polystyrene wall filling (7) RENEWAL [T]

4   Verify eccentric Cartesian (9) ASCERTAIN*

5   Fruit and asparagus tip falling to the floor (5) PEARS (-s)PEAR(+s)S

6   See opera – ENO – never seeing energy in its star? (7) SOPRANO {See+OPeRA+eNO}

7   Sherlock’s defining characteristic heard in final moments (3,4,8) THE HOME STRAIGHT (~the holme's trait)

9   School leavers’ event in which patriotic songs belted out at last? (4) PROM (From 'Last Night of the Proms')

10 Occupying this inventor? Safety, principally! (4) OTIS Acrostic &lit

14 Troubles, including yoga, tai chi etc (9) EXERCISES [DD]

15 Does the groundwork for gits? (4) SODS [DD]

16 He makes little effort, braggart downgraded at first (7) COASTER (-b+c)COASTER

18 About to eat, having swallowed whiskey and claret (3,4) RED WINE {RE}{D{W}INE}

19 Everyman getting fourth of rounds, suppressing touch of angst, reluctant to pay (4) MEAN {ME}{rouNds} over {Angst}

21 Reads about faces (5) DARES*

Reference List

Husband = H, Nephew = N, Loud = F, American = A, Student = L, Earl = E, Dutch = D, Energy = E, About = RE

No 14397, Saturday 1 Feb 2025, Avtaar

 ACROSS

1 Approach without struggle from the moment you are seeking to master "Avtaar's Special" (6) AHIMSA {AH{I'M S}A}
5 Leek is wholly covered by shoot (8) SCALLION {SC{ALL}ION}

9 Fresh discharge over lake, silting every now and then (5-3) SPLIT-NEW {SP{L}IT}{N{Every}oW} {SP{L}{sIlTiNg}EW see comments
10 Hoist implanted with a power tool soft earth that is used for cutting grain (6) REAPER {REA{P}{E}R} E from? See comments

11 Habit is loose and not secure (6,6) SECOND NATURE*
13 Go, chasing the origin of Excalibur sword (4) EPEE {PEE}<=>{Excalibur}

14 Complete tally of banks in Timbuktu almost botched (3,5) SUM TOTAL {TimbuktU ALMOST}*
17 Portion of meat, cut noodles and batter with filling of oil (8) PASTRAMI {PASTa}{RAM}{oIl}

18 Tongue, eyes, thumbs, nails (4) ESTH [T] Chambers gives Esth as Esthonian, Estonian
20 Territory in the Pacific Ocean - land with uncapped view, possibly? (3,9) NEW CALEDONIA

{OCEAN LAND vIEW}* Semi &Lit

23 Master, I cracked spans of atoms' arrangement in molecules (6) STERIC [T]
24 Uncharacteristic mistake - missing zero - by head for accounting - one hundred thousand's taken back (8) ATYPICAL {TYPo}<=>{Accounting}+{I}{LAC<}
25 Pen essays without preface about pairings of chromosomes (8) SYNAPSES {PEN eSSAYS}*
26 Moving story? (6) CINEMA [CD]

DOWN
2 Wish age gets reversed after leaving college (4) HOPE {EPOcH<}
3 Yacht's cable is then fixed above a case of marble (9) MAINSHEET {IS THEN A MarblE}*

4 A nurse is concocting aromatics, principally for a solution to treat bruises (6) ARNICA {A}{RN}{Is}{Concocting}{Aromatics}
5 Two lads in Soweto, getting high after taking time off with girls, finally indulge in excesses (3,4,4,4) SOW ONE'S WILD OATS {TWO LADS IN SOWEtO}*{girlS}
6 Initials and header missing in text by a friend (8) ACRONYMS {sMS}<=>{A CRONY}
7 Bent limb cut by soldier (5) LEANT  {LEg}{ANT}
8 Makes too much fuss about revised core values essentially missing basics of team spirit resolution (10) OVERREACTS Anno not clear {CORE VAluES Team Resolution}* See comments
12 Ask for sealing a break on the surface (10) APPARENTLY {APP{A RENT}LY}
15 Enterprise dealing with checking metric for valuing stock (9) OPERATION O{P/E RATIO}N
16 Catches herds crossing old ground (8) PADLOCKS {PACKS} over {OLD}*
19 Working together in any case, after Australia, America and Spain dropped bombs (2,4) IN SYNC {IN}{aNY CaSe}*
21 Agents taking over old town in the Papal court (5) CURIA {C{UR}IA}
22 Lady's expression of loathing disregarded by British writer (4) MAAM MAughAM

REFERENCE LIST

Special=S, Lake=L, Power=P, Zero=O, One=I, Hundred Thousand=Lac, College=C, Nurse=RN (Registered Nurse), Time=T, Australia, America=A, Spain=E

No 14396, Friday 31 Jan 2025, Hypatia

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS FOR FRIDAY 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.

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

ACROSS

1   Cut to screen commercial in show (6) PARADE {PAR{AD}E}

4   Badmouth India before person from Nicobar, say (8) ISLANDER {SLANDER}<=>{I}

9   Free suggestion to follow Engineers' society (6) RESCUE {CUE}<=>{RE}{S}

10 Noise picked up evens out in Bose surround units? (8) BRACKETS{Bo{RACKET}Se}

11 I represent a competitive private business (4,10) FREE ENTERPRISE {I+REPRESENT}* [RA]

13 Setter heard news - it's adapted for Observer! (3-7) EYE-WITNESS {(~i)EYE}{ITS+NEWS}*

14 Say books for quadruple American awards (4) EGOT {EG}{OT}

16 Basically cool and friendly eatery! (4) CAFE Acrostic &lit

18 On the level where Scrabble tiles may be played? (5-5) ABOVE-BOARD [DD]

21 These awardees are able, resolute and mostly extraordinary (5,9) NOBEL LAUREATES {ABLE+RESOLUTE+ANd}*

23 Checked and showered loudly at home (6,2) REINED IN {(~rained)REINED}{IN}

24 Shown regularly fairly in all belonging to a daughter or son (6) FILIAL {FaIrLy+In+AlL}

25 Black and white pieces of game in box including directions (5,3) CHESS SET {CHES{SSE}T}

26 Design an episode to show upset state (6) PENANG [T<=]

DOWN

1   Leave power boat (4) PARK {P}{ARK}

2   Store jam without lid (7) RESERVE pRESERVE

3   What's recommended for going concerns? (8) DIURETIC [GK]

5   Software hacking even scares end-user (6-5) SCREEN-SAVER {EVEN+SCARES+e...eR}*

6   Admit suitable crowds around conservative church (6) ACCEPT {A{C}{CE}PT}

7   Observing fast grandmaster Liren's rounds quietly, in the middle! (7) DIETING {D{quIETly}ING}

8   Valued troops caught in rush (9) RESPECTED {RE{SPECT}ED}

12 Kind braves in a struggle to keep running (11) NONABRASIVE {BRAVES+IN+A}*  over {ON}

13 Two cents pocketed by Clapton - that's odd! (9) ECCENTRIC {E{C}{CENT}RIC}

15 Important to stand-up in honest president's case (8) ABLATIVE {AB{VITAL<=}E}

17 Very hot bar girls oddly in charge (7) FEBRILE {FE{BaR+gIrLs}E}

19 Areas restricting violent crime in country (7) AMERICA {A}{CRIME*}{A}

20 Groups of limos run with vacant taxis (6) FLEETS {FLEE}{TaxiS}

22 Jack's decline (4) FLAG [DD]

Reference List

Commercial = AD, India = I, Engineers = RE(Royal Engineers), Society = S, Books = OT(Old Testament), Directions = S,S,E, Power = P, Conservative = C, Church = CE, Cent = C, Area = A

No 14395, Thursday 30 Jan 2025, Hypatia

Solution to 27A 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. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Pouch always contained English tea (8) BEVERAGE {B{EVER}AG}{E}

5   Was read by alternately taking tips from Indic language (6) ARABIC {wAs+ReAd+By}{IndiC}

10 Cordial at a fair ground (7) RATAFIA*

11 Country song inspiring universal saint (7) AUSTRIA {A{U}{ST}RIA}

12 Better charger? (5) FINER [DD]

13 Reverend's hair colours clothing accessories (5-4) DRESS-TIES (~tress dyes to dress-ties)

14 States in vehicle's earlier avatars (12) INCARNATIONS {NATIONS}<=>{IN}{CAR}

18 Mahabharata's essence and grand song, ultimately blended with advaita! (8,4) BHAGAVAD GITA {BHA}{G}{sonG+ADVAITA}* Semi&lit

21 Cheap women's shift in fortune (3-6) LOW-BUDGET {LO{W}{BUDGE}T}

23 Feudal lord say, in story (5) LIEGE {LI{EG}E}

24 Boys revolting about John's outrageous behaviour (7) SCANDAL {SDAL<=} over {CAN}

25 Delicate case involving kid (7) FRAGILE {F{RAG}ILE}

26 Sibling holding second place by right (6) SISTER {SI{S}TE}{R}

27 Fortify covered parking at the centre of West towers (8) ?T?E?L?S (Addendum - STEEPLES {STEE{P}L}{wESt} - See comments)

DOWN

1   Parted from fellow wearing hat (6) BEREFT {BERE{F}T}

2   Sign it over boxes put up for election (6) VOTING [T<=]

3   Once more, liberal and free in official polls (9) REFERENDA {RE}{AND+FREE}*

4   Doctor glad to work with nurse again - they take care of their wards (8,6) GUARDIAN ANGELS {GLAD+NURSE+AGAIN}*

6   Moving two steps ahead, leader of bugs takes a break (5) RESTS (p to r)RESTS

7   Modern bistro showcasing old country food (8) BURRITOS {B{UR}RITOS*}

8   Elitist cold bar stocks yoghurt smoothies (8) CLASSIST {C}{LASSIS}{T}

9   Kaif got them in a wild party till wee hours (4,1,5,2,2) MAKE A NIGHT OF IT*

15 Tease a little - it's funny (9) TITILLATE*

16 Honour student lives close to Konark's special monuments (8) OBELISKS {OBE}{L}{IS}{k...rK}{S}

17 Society charter managed, raised and protected hot marine animals (8) NARWHALS {S}{LAW}{RAN}<= over {H}

19 Opposition idle until all lost oddly (6) DENIAL {iDlE+uNtIl+AlL}

20 Prizes Jack's sheep left with lambs, finally (6) JEWELS {J}{EWE}{L}{l..bS}

22 Obtrusive peacekeeper starts to defend Ukraine eagerly (5) UNDUE {UN}{De...d}{Uk...e}{Ea...y}

Reference List

English = E, Universal = S, Saint = ST, Essence = BHA, Grand = G, Women = W, John = CAN, Second = S, Parking = P, Right = R, Fellow = F, Once more = RE, Old country = UR, Cold = C, Bar = T, Honour = OBE, Student = L, Special = S, Society = S, Hot = H, Jack = J, Left = L, Peacekeeper = UN

No 14394, Wednesday 29 Jan 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 26A 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. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Start to swiftly run away, stealing a painting of the ocean (8) SEASCAPE {Sw...y}{E{A}SCAPE}

5   Extremely handsome man in lounge, almost a Greek God (6) HERMES {Ha...mE}{R{M}ESt}

10 French nobleman and old, married model involved in immorality (7) VICOMTE {VIC}{O}{M}{T}E}

11 Letter from electronic store across street (7) EPISTLE {E}{PI{ST}LE}

12 Goes out to secure special plaster of Paris (5) GESSO {GOES}* over {S}

13 Bug jumped over spade (9) EAVESDROP*

14 Hug a cute doc naughtily after drinking a little rum - that's alcohol-induced confidence (5,7) DUTCH COURAGE {HUG+A+CUTE+DOC}* over {Rum}

18 Where person visiting sauna might be facing a difficult situation (2,3,3,4) IN THE HOT SEAT [DD]

21 Ache is terrible, try to reverse inadequate blood supply to organ (9) ISCHAEMIA {ACHE+IS}*{AIM<=}

23 Fool wasting time and money is chasing rainbows, say (5) IDIOM IDIO(-t+m)M

24 English nation's fancy schoolboy (7) ETONIAN {E}{NATION*}

25 Check cool shot over bowler's head by India's opener (7) INHIBIT {IN}{HI{Bo...r}{In..a}T}

26 Snicker as tense captain of SA spills easy catch (6) T?T?E? 

27 Engineer in Odessa coats a metal by electrolysis (8) ANODISES*

DOWN

1   Brute beginning to attack girl in store (6) SAVAGE {At...k}{G} in {SAVE}

2   Approach chartered accountant about expenditure (6) ACCOST {CA<=}{COST}

3   Calm policeman catches male beginning to open safe (9) COMPOSURE {CO{M}P}{Open}{SURE}

4   No debate! Ultimately firemen, cops need remarkable poise (8,2,4) PRESENCE OF MIND {FIReMEN+COPS+NEED}*

6   Issues in class timetable reviewed (5) EMITS [T<=]

7   Serious marital discord, taking counselling at centre (8) MATERIAL {MAT{c...sEl...g}RIAL*}

8   Spot around lake by dock is more peaceful (8) SLEEPIER {S{L}EE}{PIER}

9   Fuel supplier's depravity concealed by senator, it's appalling (7,7) SERVICE STATION {VICE} in {SENATOR+ITS}*

15 Philosophical treatise by sadhu about overcoming pain easily (9) UPANISHAD {SADHU}* over {PAIN}*

16 Jumps to welcome popular tenor, most charming (8) DIVINEST {DIV{IN}ES}{T}

17 Stalwart accepts decision, abandons power project (5,3) STICK OUT {ST{pICK}OUT}

19 Halo of star rising over island starts to mesmerise beachgoers (6) NIMBUS {SUN<=} over {I}{Me...e}{Be...s}

20 Strikes arachnid aboard ship (6) SMITES {S{MITE}S}

22 Mount in Zanskar is exquisite (5) ARISE [T]

Reference List

Man = M, Old = O, Married = M, Model = T, Electronic = E, Street = ST, Special = S, Time = T, Money = M, English = E, Cool = IN, Girl = G, Male = M, Lake = L, Popular = IN, Tenor = T, Power = P, Island = I, Ship = SS

No 14393, Tuesday 28 Jan 25, Dr. X

Solution to 27A 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. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Praise master taking care of boy (8) ACCOLADE {AC{CO}{LAD}E}

5   Grooved with stud on vacation capturing heart (6) SCORED {St{CORE}uD}

10 Finishing stroke of a letter in new fliers, not large (5) SERIF FlIERS*

11 Waste money in bars? Certainly not! (2,2,5) BY NO MEANS {B{MONEY*}ANS}

12 Songstress changed tune in track (9) CHANTEUSE {CHA{TUNE*}SE}

13 A little upset with son breaking heart, remove your name from mailing list briefly (5) UNSUB {Up..t}{N{S}UB}

14 Endlessly run hard, welcoming a cheer of victory (6) HURRAH {HURRy + H} over {A} Semi&lit

15 Gaudy outfit, embarrassed about colours to begin with (7) KITSCHY {KIT}{S{Co...s}HY}

18 & 24 What cricket stadium staff will do to ease the way (7,3,6) PREPARE THE GROUND [DD]

20 Arboreal animal found in circus customarily (6) CUSCUS [T]

22 Players start to energetically race (5) CASTE {CAST}{En...y}

24 See 18

25 Knocking back shot, start to inhale marijuana endlessly in carnival (5,4) MARDI GRAS {DRAM<=}{In...e}{GRASs}

26 Slim with good body (5) THING {THIN}{G}

27 Extremely nice to engage in alternative movement (3,3) N?W ?G?  

28 Lady captivated by orphans playing musical instruments (8) ALPHORNS {A{L}PHORNS*}

DOWN

1   Bag grabbed by gangster close to unsafe French region (6) ALSACE {AL}{SAC}{u...fE}

2   Smoke surrounding container under ancient city's arch (9) CURVATURE {CURE} over {VAT}<=>{UR}

3   Chewing fingernail with teeth is harmful (4-11) LIFE-THREATENING*

4   Seduce young socialite with endless desire, having drunk heartily (7) DEBAUCH {DEB}{A{drUnk}CHe}

6   Problem about old computers failing to meet required standards (4,2,2,7) COME UP TO SCRATCH  {CATCH} over {O+COMPUTERS}*

7   Wins revolutionary fight, conserving energy (5) REAPS {SPA{E}R<=}

8   Defies, disregards conservative boss - dicey move (8) DISOBEYS {BOSS+DIcEY}*

9   Ready with ring, kiss date inside (2,4) ON DECK {O}{N{D}ECK}

16 Fashion designer's posh outfit finally picked up by delivery man (9) COUTURIER {CO{U}{o..iT}URIER}

17 Astronauts frantically escape, having bit of malfunction close to moon (8) SPACEMEN {ESCAPE}* over {Ma...n} and {mooN}

19 One enthralled by course of a meal, almost perfect (6) ENTIRE {ENT{1}REe}

20 Oily liquid damaged coolers (7) CREOSOL*

21 Proverbs by a sage, perhaps inspiring daughter (6) ADAGES {A}{SAGE}* over {D}

23 Recurrent lumps of pale yellow colour (5) STRAW <=

Reference List

Care of = CO, Large = L, Son = S, Good, Lady = L, Gangster = AL(Capone), Ancient city = UR, Old = O, Energy = E, Conservative = C, Neck = KISS, Date = D, Posh = U, Daughter = D

No 14392, Monday 27 Jan 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 12A 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. 

Open for anyone to solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Intoxicated babe runs over girl, stirring up emotions (6-7) RABBLE-ROUSING {BABE+RUNS+O+GIRL}*

8   Wants new, versatile German player (5) GAMER GERMAn*

9   Sworn statement by American diva involved in argument in retreat (9) AFFIDAVIT {A}{TI{DIVA*}FF<=}

11 See 10 Down

12 Censure fellow dumping conservative miss (4) ?L?K (Addendum - FLAK {F}{LAcK} - See comments)

14 Student stands up to describe origin of oldest primates (7) LORISES {L}{Ol...t}{RISES}

16 Republican actually about to break a law (7) INFRACT {R} in {IN FACT}

17 Pouring rum for exclusive circle (7) INGROUP*

19 Device used for strangulation by degenerate found in passage (7) GAROTTE {GA{ROT}TE}

21 Express disapproval, start to unpack short skirt (4) TUTU {TUT}{Un...k}

22 First-class chef's double corn salad (6,4) CORDON BLEU* Semi&lit

25 Like a romantic dinner and dance? It'll rock (9) CANDLELIT*

26 Eventually removing clothes altogether (2,3) IN ALL fINALLy

27 Gulp with regret, so irritated about wife's fight for dominance (5,8) POWER STRUGGLE {GULP+REGRET+SO}* over {W}

DOWN

2   Device measuring electric current in programme, terrific (7) AMMETER {T]

3   Where one has a close shave as robber starts to plunder house desperately (10) BARBERSHOP {AS+ROBBER+Pl...r+Ho..e}*

4   Singer at opera describing Greek muse (5) ERATO [T]

5   Motive in killing is sickening (9) OFFENDING END in OFFING

6   Viewpoint of spiteful nationalist ignored (4) SIDE SnIDE

7   Short fictional work by star captivates the Spanish lecturer (7) NOVELLA {NOV{EL}{L}A}

8   Lose one's temper as party controlled by selfish European pulls out (2,9) GO BALLISTIC {eGO{BALL}ISTIC}

10 & 11A What matador might do to boldly tackle difficulty (4,3,4,2,3,5) TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS [DD]

13 Insulting ignorant rogue suppressing fine female (10) AFFRONTING {IGNORANT}* over {F}{F}

15 Posh models dancing close to Greek dramatist (9) SOPHOCLES {POSH*}{CLOSE*}

18 Become involved in attempt to hire English cast (3,4) GET INTO {G{E}{TINT}O}

20 High after consuming ecstasy, couple of ladies reveal everything (4,3) TELL ALL {T{E}{LL}ALL}

23 Check patient's butt bitten by animal (5) DETER {DE{p...nT}ER}

24 Sheet of floating ice in stream, reportedly (4) FLOE (~flow)

Reference List

Over = O, New = N, American = A, Fellow = F, Conservative = C, Student = L, Republican = R, Wife = W, Nationalist = N, The in Spanish = EL, Lecturer = L, European = E, Fine = F, Female = F, English = E, Ecstasy = E, Ladies = L

Special, Sunday 26 Jan 2025, Veeyares

Three answers per commenter till 1 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 3342, Sunday 26 Jan 2025

REPUBLIC DAY GREETINGS

Artwork by Prasanna

Rangoli by Gowri

ACROSS

1   Excitedly earning tip, returning a coat? (10) REPAINTING*

6   Bulk of the artificial intelligence from land on Indochinese Peninsula (4) THAI {THe}{AI}

9   Duck and swan given kind of seed: with this, get in! (4,6) OPEN SESAME {O}{PEN}{SESAME}

10 In Macbeth, a dagger is one mainstay (4) PROP [DD]

11 ‘Time to get up, Mr. Warne: would you like some dried fruit?’ (4,3,5) RISE AND SHINE (~ raisin shane)

15 In Hamilton – or Mansell – we see overpowering force (7) NORMANS [T]

16 Swallow pork pie first, and rest (3-4) LIE-DOWN {DOWN}<=>{LIE}

17 Feeling queasy and green in France, Everyman leaves (7) VERTIGO {VERT}{I GO}

19 With pie standing in for a roast: most inadequate (7) ROPIEST {RO(-a+pie)PIEST

20 Nastily, he invited one to fail to reach fruition (3,2,3,4) DIE ON THE VINE*

23 In audition, furrows … finding lice (4) NITS (~knits)

24 So, you grill bananas to magnificent effect? (10) GLORIOUSLY*

25 Wildly yearn, losing resistance for musician (4) ENYA YEArN*

26 Fling glove – not good – a loud exhibition (4,6) LOVE AFFAIR {gLOVE}{A}{FF}{AIR}

DOWN

1   Burrow into ground for parsnip? (4) ROOT [DD]

2   Spy to stay up (4) PEEK<=

3   Breathtaking goddess, like Erato? (11) INSPIRATION [DD]

4   Tense idiots crowding front of limo: they’re left hanging (7) TASSELS {T}{ASSE{Limo}S}

5   Primarily ‘named’ – or maybe ‘in name alone’, legally? (7) NOMINAL Acrostic &lit

7   Those whose régime may often be seedy? (10) HERBIVORES [CD]

8   ‘Germinate’, loosely translated when primate principally involved? (10) IMPREGNATE {GERMINATE}* over {Pr...e} Semi&lit

12 Risen on the wing, glimpses of emperor penguin pets: that’s novel (11) STEPPENWOLF {FLOWN}{Em...r}{Pe...n}{PETS}<=

13 Envied Nice resort, that’s clear to see (2,8) IN EVIDENCE*

14 Pertly ruin gathering, in an obscene manner (10) PRURIENTLY*

18 Venetian game … (7) OTHELLO [DD]

19 … overturn gear (7) REVERSE [DD]

21 Where you could find central parts of East Siam? (4) ASIA {eASt}{sIAm} &lit

22 Tradesperson adding colour, extract of Goodyera (4) DYER [T]

Reference List

Swan = PEN, Green in French = VERT, Resistance = R, Good = G, loud = FF, Tense = T