No 14669, Friday 19 Dec 2025, Arden

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.

ACROSS

1   Wild cat back-biting workers from company, say (8)

5   Start with Buenos Aires randomly in this country (6)

10 Red mark allowed (7)

11 Watch two tennis shots - first missing top line (7)

12 Fish eating - Yankee is making it up (5)

13 Silence over hidden past - it's coined for a single occasion (5,4)

14 Work undone, setter under attack (12)

18 Unearths true form of a game (8,4)

21 Follow a genetic code - otherwise amuse to a sickening degree (2,7)

23 Two points within a point - go back to country (5)

24 A mineral recovered with sun spray... (7)

25 ...brings them together provided that is during sunset (7)

26 Meets as one finally escapes (6)

27 Borders of cloth, strangely no sign of knots (8)

DOWN

1   Take stock stealthily, find way to break law (6)

2   Last string on musical instrument strung up for free (6)

3   Poor Germans accept half lies from those who slander (9)

4   New route, only twice changed? No way! (3,2,4,5)

6   Even extremities, girl will follow (5)

7   Reveals fish inside parallel lines (3,5)

8   Account of stake holding, criminal code (8)

9   Use noun with method - not happy? (4,2,3,5)

15 Dignifying good French upbringing, it's evergreen (9)

16 A salt say grabbing attention (8)

17 She feeds babies that are very small, taking turns somehow (3-5)

19 Could be doing after I get a dye (6)

20 Lay up is for awareness (6)

22 To end it all, you keep this one, don't be angry (5)

No 14668, Thursday 18 Dec 2025, Arden

Solution to 21D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Revise possible action leading to clash (11) ALTERCATION {ALTER}{ACTION*}

7   Woman starts speaking of women (3) SOW Acrostic

9   So long for a gold plated cube (5) ADIEU {A{DIE}U}

10 Move to permit one in ten, perhaps (2,7) EN PASSANT {PASS}{AN} in {TEN}*

11 Psychological baggage of one pound - like accepting separate review (9) ALBATROSS {A}{LB}{A{SORT<=}S}

12 Senseless when an invitation is rejected partly (5) INANE [T<=]

13 A pitch to remove nail polish (7) ACETONE {ACE}{TONE}

15 Here and there - again they all end in paradise (4) EDEN Tail Acrostic

18 Crazy over knock out (4) STUN<=

20 Indian army during regular patrols hides weapons (7) ARSENAL {pAtRo{SENA}L}

23 Subject revised within a month (5) OMANI [T<=]

24 Flyer's Irish, wearing old hat (9) PASSERINE {PASS{ERIN}E}

26 Changed mind to take part in club game (9) BADMINTON {BA{MIND*}TON}

27 Small part of golf course in New York (5) TEENY {TEE}{NY}

28 Noise from God dispensing love (3) DIN oDIN

29 Free to recall name - police department retains head (11) EMANCIPATED {NAME<=}{CI{PATE}D}

DOWN

1   Indian politician repeatedly picks up Chinese grass (4-4) AGAR-AGAR {RAGA}{RAGA}<=

2   Strives to save one pound as they go over people's heads (8) TRILBIES {TR{1}{LB}IES}

3   French writer had no power to force people off their slumber (5) ROUST {pROUST} 

4   One on either side - allowing me to raise a plant (7) ANEMONE {AN}{ME<=}{ONE}

5   Stop self confession of an old-fashioned person (7) IMPASSE {I'M}{PASSE}

6   New wine overhead shows bad quality (9) NASTINESS {N}{ASTI}{NESS}

7   Healer is a fake one (6) SHAMAN {SHAM}{AN}

8   Disappear after accompanying the Queen (6) WITHER {WITH}{ER}

14 Nothing good about slight intrusion - it's a precarious situation (2,4,3) ON THIN ICE {O}{N{THIN}ICE}

16 It comes to grip with tragic ending of the poor and destitute (8) INDIGENT {I{ENDING*}T}

17 Favourite looked sad to begin with (4-4) BLUE-EYED {EYED}<=>{BLUE}

19 It's highly inflammable - sleep over with hard hat, perhaps (7) NAPHTHA {NAP}{H}{HAT*}

20 As nice as fantastic run through (7) ARSENIC {NICE+AS}* over {R}

21 Can swing both ways in bar - stop it (6) ?O?B?D (Addendum - FORBID {FOR{BI}D} - See comments)

22 Agree music is uplifting - come again? (6) PARDON {NOD}{RAP}<=

25 Best opening line inside bar (5) ESTOP [T]

Reference List

Cube = DIE, Head = PATE, Power = P, New = N, Head = NESS, Queen = ER, Hard = H, Run = R

No 14667, Wednesday 17 Dec 2025, Arden

Solution to 2D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

6   A short distance to a new capital (5) AMMAN {A}{MM}{A}{N}

7   West averts calamity with change in leadership (8) OCCIDENT (-a+o)OCCIDENT

10 Nobility's bid to acquire jewelry occasionally (7) PEERAGE {P{jEwElRy}AGE}

11 Discharge private detective finally (7) SECRETE {SECRET}{d...vE}

12 Almost in hostile region of central Tuscany (7) CHIANTI {CHIc}{ANTI}

13 College study, within one metre (7) CADENCE {C}{A{DEN}CE}

14 Source, in other words for a rapid, intense training (5,6) CRASH COURSE {SOURCE}* [RA]

19 Team refused, sorry to reject a novice (7) AMATEUR {TEAM}*{RUE<=} Error in fodder

21 Choose to block river? One follows (7) DEVOTEE {DE{VOTE}E}

23 Fail to incorporate law on milk product (7) LACTOSE {L{ACT}OSE}

25 Take it and you would be upset (7) UMBRAGE [CD]

26 Proceed before one finally leaves - they make you laugh (8) COMEDIES {COME}{DIES}

27 Deadly, not able to sustain (5) INCUR INCURable

DOWN

1   One doesn't remember the middle name, in case lost (8) AMNESIAC {nAMe}{IN+CASE}*

2   Harry relocates to skip national service, to no avail (2,4) ?N ?A?N (Addendum - IN VAIN {IN+VAIN+RELOCATES}* = NATIONAL SERVICE - See comments)

3   Invitation to success - she is flirtatious (4-6) COME-HITHER {COME}{HIT}{HER}

4   Book on laws (4) ACTS [DD]

5   Hotel accommodating not even their trainee (6) INTERN {IN{ThEiR}N}

6   For a cap, lady came up with some wool (6) ALPACA [T<=]

8   He makes sense of animal eating fish (7) DECODER {DE{COD}ER}

9   It's safe to taper off (5) PETER [DD]

13 Could be a sudden downpour (10) CLOUDBURST {COULD}* [RA]

15 One came up like a needle (7) ACEROSE {ACE}{ROSE}

16 Transport at the door (8) ENTRANCE [DD]

17 Bird bit off dog's head (5) EAGLE bEAGLE

18 Space traveller's remote adjustment (6) METEOR*

20 Discontented with Anglican Church, our host (6) ANCHOR {An...aN}{Ch..cH}{OuR}

22 Infection causing bacteria gets energy after six (6) VIBRIO {BRIO}<=>{VI}

24 Not good to stay up (4) EVIL<=

Reference List

Short distance = MM< New = N, College = C

No 14666, Tuesday 16 Dec 2025, Crossant

Solution to 5D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   City's popular event primarily for Chinese martial art (6) TAIPEI TAI(-ch+PE}PEI

9   Novel about a girl in love (8) ORIGINAL {A+GIRL+IN+O}*

10 Tailender finally dismissed, that's a comprehensive defeat (4) ROUT {t...eR}{OUT}

11 Behind bars post essentially nasty criminal activities (6,4) INSIDE JOBS {INSIDE}{JOB}{naSty}

12 Outline of America's stupid tariff (9) ADUMBRATE {A}{DUMB}{RATE}

14 Restless in Seattle perhaps, about to leave without child (5) ITCHY {cIT{CH}Y}

16 Resource for training module? (9,6) REFRESHER COURSE [CD]

19 Not a method of flushing out unknown adversary (5) ENEMY {ENEMa}{Y}

21 Notes about technocrats needing finances from the centre (9) CROTCHETS TECHnOCRaTS*

24 Careful - online criminals ensnaring old men in cybercrime basically (10) ECONOMICAL {E}{CON}{AL} over {Old}{Men}{In}{Cy...e}AL 

26 Nothing is obvious in the beginning perhaps (4) ZERO Anno not clear (Addendum - 0b...s - See comments)

27 Accept role and participate (4,4) TAKE PART {TAKE}{PART}

28 Country's right to occupy? Certainly not. (6) NORWAY {R} in {NO WAY}

DOWN

1   Boat transporting old injured pet (8) CANOODLE {CANO{OLD*}E}

2   Something expressed orally? (6) SPUTUM [CD]

3   Confusion about one new, fancy, red outfit (9) MINIDRESS {M{1}{N}I{RED*}SS} Wordplay doesn't work. See comments.

4   Chuck Norris agrees to act, at last making a comeback (4) TOSS [Tail acrostic<=]

5   Nervous in a city like Chicago perhaps (5) ?I?D? (Addendum - WINDY [DD] - See comments)

6   One female leaving Fuji entertained by just extravagant martial art (3-5) JIU-JITSU {1}{fUJI} in {JUST}*

7   Money to get boy a castle in North Africa (6) CASBAH {CAS{B}{A}H}

13 What belonged to them finally went to the next in line (5) THEIR {wenT}{HEIR}

15 Expert tensely working to disconnect lead from strapped explosive material (9) ACETYLENE {ACE}{TENsELY}*

17 Note - America is exiting. What's left? (8) REMINDER REMaINDER

18 Weekend stay duration cut by half unfortunately (8) SATURDAY {STAY+DURAtion}*

20 Money mostly kept back by sailor for drink (6) NECTAR {CENt<=}{TAR}

22 Difficult to control an unknown danger (6)  HAZARD {H{A}{Z}ARD}{

23 Mark's wearing brown coat (5) SMEAR {S{M}EAR}

25 Name of place is mentioned (4) CITE (~site)

Reference List

Chinese = CH, Child = CH, Unknown = Y, Online = E, Criminals = CON,AL, Right = R, New = N, Female = F, Boy = B, America = A, Sailor = TAR, Unknown = Z, Mark = M

No 14665, Monday 15 Dec 2025, Gridzilla

Solution to 5D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM

ACROSS

1   Feeling a bit satisfied after extremely short flight (6) STAIRS {AIR}{Sa...d}<=>{ShorT}

4   A short time to have lunch out (4,2) BEAT IT {B{EAT}IT}

8   Taking spoiled salami, one ultimately gets some discomfort (7) MALAISE {SALAMI}*{E}

9   Henry delivered hash or heroin in metal container? (4,3) IRON ORE {OR+hEROIN}*

11 Visiting hot adult site, Mark gets aroused (10) STIMULATED {ADULT+SITE+M}*

12 Small drink, say, for skipper (4) SAIL {S}{(~ale)AIL}

13 Worm on top of sunflower plant (5) SEDGE {EDGE}<=>{Su...r}

14 "Australia: The best place" - A Netflix feature (8) AUTOPLAY {AU}{TOP}{LAY}

16 John sat playing on account of these sets of cards (8) CANASTAS {CAN}{SAT*}{AS}

18 Cryptic clue about primarily nice relative (5) UNCLE {U{Nice}CLE*}

20 Went in haste, covering head (4) PEED sPEED

21 Radiohead's first hit single's unusually creepy (10) SLITHERING {Ra...d+HIT+SINGLE}*

23 Order servant to check room (7) CHAMBER {CHA{MBE}R}

24 Right away, rations drinks (7) POTIONS POrTIONS

25 Portion of crab soup in ceramic cups (6) PINCER [T]

26 Catches fish with outdated lures? (6) ANGLES dANGLES

DOWN

1   Taking public transport around is clever (5) SMART<=

2   Feared gangster's carrying a gun (7) ALARMED {AL}{ARMED}

3   New 'Listerine Strong' (9) RESILIENT*

5   In the East End, the masses misbehaved (5) E?R?D (Addendum - ERRED (~herd) - See comments)

6   No set exercises? (5,2) TONES UP {NO+SET}* [RA]

7   Result: After losing opener, entire team's out! (9) TERMINATE {eNTIRE+TEAM}*

10 Vessel with crew on board starts to head into port (9) STEAMSHIP {S{TEAM}S}{Head}{Into}{Port}

13 A UFO with small steps? Cool! (9) SPACESHIP {S}{PACES}{HIP}

15 Land in Amsterdam perhaps, says Spooner (5,4) TOUCH DOWN (~dutch town to touchdown)

17 A sign board above shows where to find a six-pack (7) ABDOMEN {A}{OMEN}<=>{BD}

19 Cheerful guy is always laughing basically (7) CORDIAL {CORD}{Is}{Al...s}{La...g}

21 Incident is investigated, as per report (5) SCENE (~seen)

22 Near-perfect ratings possibly worsening after partial review? (5) NINES [HIPS<=]

Reference List

Henry = H, Mark = M, Small = S, Australia = AU, Order = MBE, Servant = CHAR, Right = R, Date = D, Gangster = AL, Cool = HIP, Board = BD, Guy = CORD

Special, Sunday 14 Dec 2025, Neyartha (R)

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)

Starred clues have a common theme.

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 34, Sunday 14 Dec 2025, Arden

ACROSS

1   Pornographic books hidden by back cover which is fat (7) BLUBBER {BLU{BB}E}{c..eR}

5   In fact internal condition is highly respected (7) DEIFIED {DE{IF}{I}ED} I from?

9   Alternate proof — assets provide some food (5) ROAST {pRoOf+AsSeTs}

10 Country rejected plan to introduce one dress (9) MACEDONIA {AIM<=} over {ACE}{DON}

11 Potatoes bag in parts of the Netherlands (9) FRIESLAND {FRIES}{LAND}

12 Start growing thorny rose plant (5) GORSE {Gr...g}{ROSE*}

13 Responsibility — where it lies when we undertake to do something (4) ONUS {ON US}

15 Ones getting married on board can be emulated (8) IMITABLE {1}{M}{1}{TABLE}

18 It obeys Boyle’s law — perfect perhaps, NO? (5,3) IDEAL GAS {IDEAL}{GAS}

19 Bite insect in return (4) TANG<=

22 Signore Mitchell securing pardon (5) REMIT [T]

24 Group accepting torn bill is swelling (9) CHILBLAIN {CH{BILL*}AIN}

26 Remove unwanted starch from tetrasaccharide somehow (9) ERADICATE TetrasACchARIDE* 

27 African leaders totally under the same illusion (5) TUTSI Acrostic

28 Way to describe “Short story of an Italian dish” (7) LASAGNE {LA{SAGa}NE}

29 In support of school showing no interest in computer language (7) FORTRAN {FOR}{TRAiN}

DOWN

1   Don’t have complaint about Republicans headed by Trump (6) BEREFT {BE{R}EF}{Tr..p}

2   Maybe gained about a pound after central fund became nonpartisan (9) UNALIGNED {GAINED}* over {L} after {fUNd}

3   Times set up pieces of information (5) BYTES {BY}{SET*}

4   Bank getting old in America is running riot (9) RAMPAGING {RAMP}{AGING}

5   Last of the herd killed and cut up (5) DICED {herD}{ICED}

6   Mixed gin and tonic — not only cold but cross (9) INDIGNANT {GIN+AND+ToNIc}*

7   Private banquet, democrats missing (5) INNER dINNER

8   Head of department committed a crime and covered it up (6) DRAPED {De...t}{RAPED}

14 Going over, accepting a contract giving set of dimensions... (9) SCANTLING {SCA{NT}LING}

16 ...even though it opens out providing covers (2,5,2) IN SPITE OF {IT+OPENS}* in {IF}

17 House subsequently stored blue cans (9) LANCASTER {LA{CANS*}TER}

20 Trial order done, approval to pick outsiders (6) ORDEAL {OrdeR}{DonE}{Ap...aL}

21 Standard, almost close to mark... (6) ENSIGN {ENd}{SIGN}

23 ...randomly, so man complains (5) MOANS*

24 Stop close to line, in case... (5) CEASE {C{linE}ASE}

25 Sad, half-heartedly he takes a nibble (5) BITER BITtER

Reference List

Book = B, Married = M, Interest = I, Republican = R, Pound = L, Only = O, Cold = C, Democrats = D, Contract = NT{No Trumps)

No 14664, Saturday 13 Dec 2025, Vidwan

 ACROSS
8 It is a right inner garment for women (4) SARI [T]

9 Young adult gifts small coin from USA (10) ADOLESCENT {A}{DOLES}{CENT}
10 Tech giant finally got software running in browser (6) APPLET {APPLE}{goT}
11 A bad actor retired and rushed to India for a queen (8) MAHARANI {A HAM}<{RAN}{I}

12 Twisted fact - good is happening without human intervention (3,2,3) ACT OF GOD*
14 Working with authority and waiting to be connected (2,4) ON HOLD {ON}{HOLD}
16 Not able see large covered hindrance (4) BIND {BlIND} Typo. Should be "not able to see"
17 Cold stink of bay (5) CREEK {C}{REEK}
18 New advances, problem rendered in voice notes (4) SANG {S(-n}A(+N)G}
19 Half of giants following to enter patio (6) LOGGIA {GIAnts}<=>{LOG}

21 Dashing man of good Parisian style (8) DEBONAIR {DE}{BON}{AIR}
23 Occasionally turns in with silly Simon for activities of labour organisation (8) UNIONISM {tUrNs In}{SIMON*}
26 Unending trickery is what keeps Santa Claus on the move (6) SLEIGH {SLEIGHt}

27 Bad and good in fake pride of the elite (10) PRIVILEGED {VILE}{G} in {PRIDE}*
28 Caught without force, swiftly passed ball of thread (4) CLEW {C}{fLEW}

DOWN
1 Top with most solid, popular, ordinary kind of coffee (10) CAPPUCCINO {CAP}{PUCCa}{IN}{O} Chambers and Collins both give Pucka or Pukka and not pucca.
2 Spooner's capsule world, an expanse of calm water (8) MILLPOND {Spoonerism of Pill Monde?}

3 Cloth label for a rabble (6) RAGTAG {RAG}{TAG}
4 Secure back freedom (4) ROOM {MOOR<}
5 Regularly make boxes containing shower spreads for an interconnected group (8) MESHWORK {MaKe} containing {SHOWER}*
6 Burn Supreme Court or Church (6) SCORCH {SC}{OR}{CH}
7 Aware of home working (2-2) IN-ON {IN}{ON}
13 Parent pressing about alarm (5) DREAD {D{RE}AD}
15 Go with fishing gear, possibly to end angling (7,3) LANDING NET {GO+LANDING NET}*=TO END ANGLING [CA]

17 A bone remains used to make vanilla ice creams! (8) CLAVICLE {A REMAINS CLAVICLE}*=VANILLA ICE CREAMS [CA] 

18 Posted to border, fellow escapes punishment (8) SENTENCE {SENT}{fENCE}
20 Go over moves for dance (6) GROOVE*
22 Next to live border (6) BESIDE {BE}{SIDE}
24 Standard note or metre (4) NORM {N}{OR}{M}
25 Game changing! Great! (4) MEGA* For some strange reason, the on-line version says this is wrong

REFERENCE LIST

Adult=A, India=I, Large=L, Cold=C, New=N, Of Parisian=De in French, Good=Bon in French, Good-G, Caught=C, Force=F, Ordinary=O, Supreme Court=SC, Church=CH, About=Re, Fellow=F, Note=N, Metre=M

No 14663, Friday 12 Dec 2025, Vidwan

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   Corporate pass to work in USA with locals crossing borders (13) COLLABORATIVE {COL}{LABOR}{nATIVEs}

10 Bits of treats, usually cookies, kept at buffet (4,3) TUCK BOX {Tr...s}{Us...y}{Co...s}{Kept}{BOX} Semi&lit

11 Swimmer can endlessly shift waves (7) CATFISH {CAn}{SHIFT*}

12 Reply quietly, passing time for recount (6) REPORT RE(-t+p)PORT

13 Attacked vehemently when son was sick (8) ASSAILED {AS}{S}{AILED}

15 Popular suggestion - banning bold holy books or abstractions (11) INTANGIBLES {IN}{TANG}{bIBLES}

17 Pull for work (3) TOW {TO}{W}

18 Not a walk for cheap fellow (3) GIT GaIT

20 Hospital Ophelia! I am sick with uncontrollable bleeding! (11) HAEMOPHILIA {H}{OPHELIA+I+AM}*

22 Only ego and love involved in science of making wines (8) OENOLOGY {ONLY+EGO+O}*

24 Nightmares in certain cubicles (6) INCUBI [T]

26 Abomination from toon country, possibly (7)  NAMIBIA {NAMIBIA+TOON}*=ABOMINATION [CA]

27 A way to travel with legs on either side (7) ASTRIDE {A}{ST}{RIDE} Semi&lit

28 Destabilising current throne to reach safe position (4,3,6)  TURN THE CORNER*

DOWN

2   Angrily I cut cop's head at the back (7) OCCIPUT* 

3   City near incomplete arena with the endless maze (9) LABYRINTH {LA}{BY}{RINg}{THe}

4   Lad holding cross, square in shape and plain (4) BOXY {BO{X}Y}

5   Fish tosses nut scratching backside (4,6) ROCK SALMON {ROCKS}{ALMONd}

6   Four kinds of fish (5) TETRA [DD]

7   Animal doctor hold new line of small conduits for carrying a vital liquid (7) VEINLET {VE{LINE*}T}

8   Opening talk about promiscuous lady's love consumed by ale (8,5) STARTING POINT {S{TART}ING}{P{O}INT}

9   Advertisement during show? It can be about opposition counterparts of the ministers (6,7) SHADOW CABINET {SH{AD}OW}{IT+CAN+BE}*

14 Not new gramophone, I'm excited for an old age stencil copier (10) MIMEOGRAPH {GRAMOPHOnE+IM}* Extra O in the fodder

16 Ring shaped muscle of tailless mythical creature, more attractive without slightest of utility (9) SPHINCTER {SPHINx}{CuTER}

19 Bird with habitat in a mountain (7) TINAMOU [T]

21 Setting clue in English for an amino acid (7) LEUCINE {CLUE*}{IN}{E}

23 Buttermilk from Phultala, Bangladesh (5) LABAN [T]

25 Mostly chat about a cosmetic powder (4) TALC {TALk}{C}

Reference List

Pass = COL, Quietly = P, Time = T, Son = S, Bold = B, Work = W, English = E, About = C

No 14662, Thursday 11 Dec 2025, Vidwan

Solution to 17D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM

ACROSS

8   Adult male, single, disheartened bachelor, a small invisible creature (6) AMOEBA {A}{M}{OnE}{B}{A}

9   Likely research about odd bits of tax bill (8) PROBABLE {PROB{tAx+BiLl}E}

10 Love to play an instrument used to check hearing (8) OTOSCOPE {O}{TO}{SCOPE}

11 Princess and love stifled by cold and abject stupidity (6) IDIOCY {I{DI}{O}CY}

12 Carol discarded last of the symbol of virginity (4) HYMN HYMeN

13 Lacking power, small, having no work and stubborn! (10) UNYIELDING {pUNY}{wIELDING}

14 Charm southern maiden exuded, chasing single man from Rome (7) ITALIAN {TALIsmAN}<=>{1}

15 A Hindu prince could be French one! (7) DAUPHIN {A+HINDU+P}*

18 Operation by media that is externally very harsh (10) OPPRESIVE {OP}{PRESS}{I{V}E}

20 Back to head, pain for every one (4) EACH (+e)EACH(-e)

21 Mostly worried about new India's game (6) TENNIS {TEN{N}{I}Se}

22 GOP shift shook present establishment (4,4) GIFT SHOP*

24 American cement in tariff dispute (8) ARGUMENT {A}{R{GUM}ENT}

25 Bid to provoke leader of Catholics, leaving for Vatican (6) INVITE IN(-c+v)VITE

DOWN

1   American crossed borders of Hungary with case of scarlet quartz (8) AMETHYST {A}{MET}{Hu...rY}{Sc...eT}

2   Rubbish proposal! None runs for you or me, say (8,7) PERSONAL PRONOUN {PROPOSAL+NONE+RUN}* How is the S from RUNS eliminated?

3   Peculiar hinges around a wooden strip on lower part of wall (4) DADO {OD{A}D<=}

4   Kiwi organising party with ex! (7)  APTERYX {PARTY+EX}*

5   Exclaim vehemently if English overact at sea (10) VOCIFERATE {IF+E+OVERACT}*

6   Bipolar men's anxiety after losing power to Democrat revealing shifting of vote (5-10) MANIC-DEPRESSIVE {M}{pANIC}{D}{ExPRESSIVE}

7   Bird of prey, pushing down a small stoppered bottle (6) FLACON F(-a)L(+a)ACON

13 It uses sand blasting alone (10) UNASSISTED*

16 Beginning with popular chocolate? No? Pass! (8) INCHOATE {IN}{CHOcolATE}

17 Restless when returning to get in for a day (7) ?I?G?T? (Addendum - FIDGETY {IF<=}{D(-a+get)GETY} - See comments)

19 Novelist name on essay or verse (6) POETRY {POE}{TRY}

23 Weak run away and stop working (4) FAIL FrAIL

Reference List

Adult = A, Male = M, Bachelor = B, Princess = DI, Power = P, Work = W, Southern = S, Maiden = M, Prince = P, Very = V, New = N, India = I, American = A, Vatican = V, English = E, Democrat = D, Vote = X, Pass = COL, Run = R

No 14661, Wednesday 10 Dec 2025, Vidwan

Solution to 18D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM

ACROSS

1   Retired Arsenal striker heading out to church for nothing! (5) ZILCH {oZIL}{CH}

4   Oye Brutus! Cunning like some influencers on social media! (9) YOU TUBERS*

9   Brothel keeper covering California road in olden days (7) MACADAM {MA{CA}DAM}

10 Edible bun, possibly unbeatable! (7) EATABLE {EATABLE+BUN}=UNBEATABLE [CA]

11 Did we rant about an easterly gale? (5,4) TRADE WIND*

12 Swamp's cold, not hot after beginning of May (5) MARSH {hARSH}<=>{May}

13 Much more than full, paramour loses head, almost in nameless state! (14) OVERPOPULATION {lOVER}{POPULar}{nATION} 

17 Cunning bold liar! Royal Scot linked to crafts and administrations of works! (14) LIBRARIANSHIPS {B+LIAR}*{R}{IAN}{SHIPS}

21 Path one gets into because life's hollowed (5) AISLE {A{1}S}{LifE}

22 Boisterous duet - "Hopes for Alabama" (4,5) DEEP SOUTH*

24 Cut fruit! Cut into small cubes! Cut in harmony! (7) MELODIC {MELOn}{DICe}

25 An Italian river flowing into a sea between Greece and Anatolia, cutting Europe at the highest point (7) APOGEAN {A}{PO}{G}{E}{AN} (Correction - {Ae{PO}GEAN} - See comments)

26 Bretton Woods institution regularly led by suppression in industry! (5,4) WORLD BANK {WOR{LeD}{BAN}K}

27 South African returning a very hot kiss (5) XHOSA {A}{SO}{H}{X}<=

DOWN

1   Zee TV's some broadcast about local councils in Russia (8) ZEMSTVOS {Z+TVS+SOME}*

2   Left work at England to produce milk (7) LACTATE {L}{ACT}{AT}{E}

3   Protection carried by distinguished gentlemen (5) HEDGE [T]

4   Male King, one very softly interrupting your time of atonement (3,6) YOM KIPPUR {YO{M}{K}{1}{PP}UR}

5   Super, limitless and extremely nuanced reverse (5) UPEND {sUPEr}{Nu...eD}

6   Epitomes of many without male companions (9) ULTIMATES {mULTI}{MATES}

7   Restriction on movement! So acquires a post-graduate degree! (7) EMBARGO {E{MBA}RGO}

8   Observe itchy men regularly expressing rage (6) SEETHE {SEE}{iTcHy+mEn}

14 Ale finished as foretold (9) PORTENDED {PORT}{ENDED}

15 Miss having comfort and bit of buying/selling property and renting same thereafter! (9) LEASEBACK {L{EASE}{Bu...g}}ACK}

16 Abnormal loss of strength like in the afflicted adult (8) ASTHENIA {AS}{IN+THE}*{A}

18 Limited, lacking in hormone and not extremely rare (7) I?S?L?R (Addendum - INSULAR {INSULin}{rARe} - See comments)

19 Routine moves within the womb (2,5) IN UTERO*

20 Who may blast pile of straw? (6) HAYMOW*

22 Country house had a chapel inside (5) DACHA [T]

23 Native American promise for English male, say (5) SIOUX (~sue)  (Correction - S(-e+iou)IOUX - See comments)

Reference List

Church = CH, Hot = H, Name = N, Bold = B, Royal = R, Kiss = X, Zee = Z, Left = L, Male = M, King = K, Very soft = PP, Male = M, Adult = A

No 14660, Tuesday 09 Dec 2025, Pixie Dust

Solution to 17A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM

ACROSS

1   Priest and secular theologist of repute basically (6) PASTOR Acrostic &lit

5   Tense and upset with nut mainly endangering part of vehicle's exhaust system (8) TAILPIPE {T}{AIL}{PIP}{En...g}

9   Broadcast, Tesla managed with metal worker almost entirely (8) TRANSMIT {T}{RAN}{SMITh}

10 Understanding fellow is dominated essentially (6) WISDOM [T]

11 Rift over firstly endorsing Tina say, in a captivating book (4-6) PAGE-TURNER {GAP<=}{En...g}{TURNER}

12 Pet wildfowls seen now and then (4) IDOL wIlDfOwLs

13 Combines suites in building (8) UNITISES*

16 Seamstress rejects model for southern mariner (6) SAILOR (-t+s)SAILOR

17 Slip, Troy? Tear it into small pieces (4,2) ?R?P ?P (Addendum - TRIP UP {Troy}{RIP UP} - See comments)

19 Sweet canine's hurting (8) CHARMING {C}{HARMING}

21 Disciplined cycling to reach river in Venezuela (4) META (-ta}ME(+ta)TA

22 NCSE, repeatedly used characteristic property of maturity? (10) SENESCENCE [Letter Bank]

25 Film maker's lace work on back to front raincoat (6) WEBCAM {WEB}{MAC<=}

26 Tubes shattered, ears hurt! (8) URETHRAS*

27 Music Producer from Chelsea, Caroline never ate regularly (8) CLARINET {CheLseA+caRolIne+NevEr+aTe}

28 Shacks housing king's ribbons (6) SHREDS {SH{R}EDS}

DOWN

2   Big vessel going west north from Commissariat Road (5) AORTA [T<=] See comments

3   Drop can, extremely gauche (5) TINGE {TIN}{Ga..hE}

4   Sour words whispered? (7) RUMOURS {SOUR}* [RA]

5   Offensive rump condition (7) TETANUS {TET}{ANUS}

6   Reverend's levity makes sparks fly? Okay! (7)(2,5) IT WORKS (~wit irks to it works) Error in Enu? See comments

7   Look! This negative thinking made Mike spoil Moss? (9) PESSIMISM {PESSIMISM+LOOK}*={MIKE+SPOIL+MOSS}

8   Zoo patron's perhaps relating to very small organisms (9) PROTOZOAN*

14 Courage to dispose of (as per auditor) sender of electrical and chemical message (5,4) NERVE CELL {NERVE}{(~sell)CELL}

15 Narc taped tight performer (3,6) TAP DANCER*

18 Circle around most amazing man of letters? (7) POSTMAN {P{MOST*}AN}

19 Kid with old Dutch coin in passage (7) CONDUIT {CON}{DUIT}

20 A bishop's burden can be sore (7) ABSCESS {A}{B'S}{CESS}

23 Blue thermos filled with oxygen (5) ETHER [T] Oxygen?

24 Picked up burnt vegetable (5) CHARD (~charred)

Reference List

Tense = T, Tesla = T, Model = T, Southern = S, Troy = T, Canine = C, King = R, Bishop = B