Special, Sunday 08 Jan 2023, IXL 2022 Prelim 2, Buzzer

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.

Special, Sunday 09 Jan 2022, IXL 2021 On Stage Final No 2, Buzzer

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.

No 12767 , Wednesday 30 Oct 2019, Buzzer

Themed clues as well.

ACROSS
1   Batting collapses at final in Edgbaston kept one engrossed (4,1,5,2) CAST A SPELL ON {COLLAPSES+AT}{e...oN}
8   Lead cut short by tea (4) CHAI CHAIr
9   Drives from bat showing positive energy, with runs in boundaries (10) WILLPOWERS {WILL{P}OW}{E}{RunS}
11 Point saved run easily being quick (6) PROMPT {P{ROMP}T}
12 Case of century (not out) certain to become object of admiration (8) CYNOSURE {Ce...rY}{NO}{SURE}
14 Utter pace getting a wicket (4) GATE (~gait)
16 Nearly bowl a maiden to end the innings (7) DISMISS {DISh}{MISS}
18 Hide in field remaining outside ring (7) LEATHER {LEA}{oTHER}
19 Grand century on return to tie (4) KNOT {TON}{K}<=
22 One out beaten in flight having hollow stance (8) ABSENTEE {BEATEN}* over {St..cE}
23 Top ball breaking off stump (6) UPMOST {UPM{O}ST*}
24 Deserve bye, throw being wild over fielder’s head (2,6,2)  BE WORTHY OF {BYE+THROW}*}{O}{Fi...r}
26 Has a problem scoring right off the bat (1,1,1,1) ASAP [T]
27 Opening batting, tense except for power play (12) INTRODUCTION {IN}{T}{pRODUCTION}

DOWN
2   This game, bit sticky so to speak (2,2,5,2) AS IT MIGHT BE*
3   Love West Indies, during peak of their time that is (2,3) TO WIT {Time}{0}{WI}{That} Semi&lit
4   Shot clips base part of bat’s handle (6) SPLICE {CLIPS*}{E}
5   Unfurling late sweep, is rolling on (9) EXPANSION {EX}{PAN}{IS*}{ON}
6   Rule change to a mode of dismissal in the middle (3) LAW L(-b+a)AW
7   Bit tough chasing second (5) SHARD {S}{HARD}
10 Most remarkable attributes of spinner are standout (6) RAREST [T]
13 Mostly good team, semi-poor in the past (4,4,3) SOME TIME AGO {GOOd+TEAM+SEMI}*
15 Players on field in a difficult spot after dropping catch? (6-3) TWENTY-TWO {catch 22}
17 Line say close to edge of crease results in extra (3,3) LEG BYE {L}{EG}{BY}{c...sE}
20 Bye is merely bonus conceded occasionally (3,3) SEE YOU {iS+mErElY+bOnUs}
21 One big hit brings belief ... (5) ISLAM {1}{SLAM}
23 ... one about fellow not in good form (5) UNFIT {UN{F}IT}
25 Stumped perhaps by defeat with lead in excess (3) OUT rOUT

Reference List
Positive = P, Energy = E, Point = PT, Ring = O, Century = TON, Grand = K, Ball = O,
Over = O, Batting = IN, Tense = T, Power = P, Love = 0, Base = E, Late = EX, Second = S, Line = L, Fellow = F

No 12735, Friday 20 Sep 2019, Buzzer

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.

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 6 PM.

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

ACROSS
1   Opposed beating of thug (6) FOUGHT*
5   Critically examine young man about offence (7) SCANDAL {SCAN}{LAD<=}
9   Fear of cast was noticeable around director (2,2,1,4,5) BE IN A COLD SWEAT {WAS+NOTICEABLE}* over {D}
11 Who oversees world peace or wrecks? (6) UNDOES {UN DOES}
12 Bury conflict in and unite (8) INUNDATE*
13 End of prayer period to reflect on (5) OMEGA {OM}{AGE<=}
14 Hope Dylan made megabucks (1,3,2,3) A BOB OR TWO
16 One recounting going round area in RV as tourist (9) TRAVELLER {T{R{A}V}ELLER}
18 Fight chills and fever getting better in the end (5) ARGUE {A{b...eR}GUE}
20 Seeing score after 12 came off over, it's all right (8) EYESIGHT {YES} in {EIGHT}(20-12)
22 Station say, one in Madras as an alternative/second to Central (6) EGMORE {EG}{Ma...s}{OR}{cEn...l} Semi&lit as well
24 Apology from one opposed to rich player? (4,10) POOR SUBSTITUTE {POOR}{SUBSTITUTE}
25 Small feeds Times editor posted (7) TWEETED {T}{WEE}{T}{ED}
26 Revising any clue endlessly is madness (6) LUNACY {ANY+CLUe}*

DOWN
2   Outstanding bowling unit of proper quality (7) OVERDUE {OVER}{DUE}
3   Drink American soldier and general ordered (6,3) GINGER ALE {GI}{GENERAL}*
4   Caught a cold sharing foodstuff (4) TACO [T]
5   Majesty's special grant for us (9) SPLENDOUR {SP}{LEND}{OUR}
6   Burning gas, good going for sun? (5) ARSON AR(-g+s)SON
7   Moulded institute into training cadets (3-4)  DIE-CAST {I} in {CADETS}*
8   Say a more blunt knife? (6,6) LETTER OPENER {LETTER}{OPENER}
10 Quiz pretentious man wearing tee shirts upside-down (3,2,3,4) PUT ON THE SPOT {PUT ON}{T}{HE}{TOPS<=}
14 City of UP had a ball hosting mela ultimately (9) ALLAHABAD {HAD+A+BALL}* over {melA}
15 Ape is a nut running after fruit mostly (9) ORANGUTAN {ORANGe}{A+NUT}*

17 Breathtaking day when storm set off at regular intervals (7) AWESOME {dAy}{WhEn}{StOrM}{sEt}
19 Knowing song scales, a habitual thing (7) GNOSTIC {SONG<=}{TIC}
21 Cricket for one shedding conservative image (5) INSET INSEcT
23 Rest behind wheels (2,2) ET AL LATE<=

Reference List
Director = D, Area = A, Say = EG, Time = T, Editor = ED, Special = SP, Good = G, Sun = S, Institute = I, Tee = T, Conservative = C

GRID

No 12704, Wednesday 14 Aug 2019, Buzzer

ACROSS
6   After regular losses armed defiance ends with a bloody front (3-5) RED-FACED {aRmEd+DeFiAnCe+EnDs}
9   One out of force veteran too many (6) UNTOLD {UNiT}{OLD}
10 Present is special in what way? (4) SHOW {S}{HOW}
11 Desire to travel wide including Ulster perhaps (10) WANDERLUST {W}{AND}{ULSTER*}
12 Was OK to cut corners when off to make a date (3,3)  ASK OUT {wAS}{oK}{tO}{cUT}
14 Stonework of Madonna bearing child (7) MASONRY {MA{SON}RY}
15 Confusing predicament exchanging currencies right (5-4,6) THREE-RING CIRCUS*
18 Dog like a pointer that is jumping around (4-3) SHAR-PEI {SHARP}{IE<=}

20 Field dimensions restricted around centre (6) MIDDLE [T<=]
22 Pioneer led in field having no clear description (3-7) ILL-DEFINED*
23 Couple having to part with hug and kiss? Bad luck (4) JINX {JoIN}{X}
24 Sorely missing pay without reduction (2,4) IN FULL paINFULLy
25 A test win on tour, most golden (8) TAWNIEST*

DOWN
1   Some recipe to make wafer (1,3) A FEW {WAFEr}* [CA]
2   Cold drink that's gulped cold, one taken from one serving (3,5) ICE WATER {I{C}E} {WAiTER}
3   Covers performances from 2-5 included (6) DUVETS {DU{V}ETS}
4   Site of battle where Nadal's grit comes alive (10) STALINGRAD*
5   What to wish one suffering a sudden expulsion? (5,3) BLESS YOU [CD]
7   Being out of this world, present mostly in spirit (5) ETHOS {ET}{HOSt}
8   It's a pleasure to skip (4,7,2) DON'T MENTION IT [DD]
13 Couple of cricketing terms for 'finished' (4,3,3) OVER AND OUT {OVER}{AND}{OUT}
16 Hand signals when steering becoming a problem (8) HASSLING {H}{SIGNALS*}
17 Humour for the most part, personal and degenerate (4,4) COME DOWN {COMEDy}{OWN}
19 Rubbish heap raked very loudly (6) PIFFLE {PI{FF}LE}
21 Breathing apparatus during dips sapping power and energy (5) LUNGS pLUNGeS
23 Trouble underpins justice in prison (4) JAIL {J}{AIL}

Reference List
Special = S, Wide = W, Hug = O, Kiss = X, Recipe = R, Cold = C, Hand = H, Loud = F, Power = P, Energy = E, Justice = J

GRID

No 12671, Saturday 06 Jul 2019, Buzzer

ACROSS
1   Chastening fellow setter, happy to knock vacuous clue (11) COMEUPPANCE {CO}{ME}{UP}{PAN}{CluE}
9   Process of prioritising, working great around hospitals essentially (6) TRIAGE {TR{h..pIt..s}AGE*}
10 Sang praises of old lover — took it as a duty (8) EXTOLLED {EX}{TOLLED}
11 Low point of revolting free article (5) NADIR {RID}{AN}<=
12 Put right notorious criminal? Not so (4,3)  IRON OUT {NOTORIoUs}*
13 Secretaries facing one's stricture (8) STENOSIS {STENOS}{1'S}
15 Oily and gross, a piece of cake (6) GREASY {GR}{EASY}
16 Woman in strife with domestic appliance (6) WASHER {WA{SHE}R}
18 Swigging gin cured loss of excess weight (8) REDUCING*
20 Wordplay — wicked reversal bringing cheer (5,2) LIVEN UP {PUN}{EVIL}<=
21 First woman to box, a dead duck (5) EVADE {EV{A}{D}E}
22 Language like 'Open Sesame' (8) ASSAMESE {AS}{SESAME*}
23 It indicates the hour where water freezes shut (6) O'CLOCK {0C}{LOCK}
24 Gang pile up on male outside cell (6,5) MOBILE PHONE {MOB}{PILE*}{H{ON}E}

DOWN
2   Two legs at great length (2,3,2) ON AND ON {ON}{AND}{ON}
3   In disagreement about ruler (5) EMEER [T<=]
4   They show a degree of reverence heading off agents surrounding Bond (7) PIETIES {sPIE{TIE}S}
5   Cast do go to pieces filming fine tragedies (4,2,3) ACTS OF GOD {CAST+DO+GO}* over {F}
6   Approximately large section of pizza (7) CALZONE {CA}{L}{ZONE}

7   Book club to forget keeping account? Be done with it (5,2,1,5) BRING TO A CLOSE {B}{RING}{TO}{AC}{LOSE}
8   Killing scene at the end? (5,8) DEATH SENTENCE* Semi&lit
14 Still mastering golf, it is turning to be plain (9) SERENGETI {SEREN{G}E}{IT<=}
17 Try ham, veal got after rump cuts (4,1,2) HAVE A GO {HAm}{VEAl}{GOt}
18 Full on exercise prisons to allow (7) REPLETE {RE}{P{LET}E}
19 Comedian keeping place in series (7) CHAPLIN {CHA{PL}IN}
21 Time is hard to manage growing up (5) EPOCH {H}{COPE}<=

Reference List

Old lover = EX, Dead = D, Leg (side) = ON, Fine = F, Approximately = CA, Large = L, Book = B, Golf = G, On = RE, Exercise = PE, Place = PL, Hard = H

Colour/Font Scheme

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

GRID

No 12639 Thursday 30 May 2019, Buzzer

An X-less pangram

 ACROSS

1   Instant justice provided, borders on foolhardy (5) JIFFY {J}{IF}{Fo...rY}
4   Embargo on plastic to backfire (9) BOOMERANG*
9   I court cracking romantic partner say (7) DICTATE {D{I}{CT}ATE}
10 Dead extraterrestrial drops from the sky alight (7) DETRAIN {D}{ET}{RAIN}
11 Certain term entailing burying (9) INTERMENT [T]
12 Spell F.A.Z.E for the audience (5) PHASE (~faze)
13 Be lippy having to follow master plan (3,3) MAP OUT {MA}{POUT}
15 Wear and tear light on fabric ultimately (8) CLOTHING {f...iC}{LIGHT+ON}*
18 Harsh satire indeed not seen often (8) STRIDENT {SaTiRe+InDeEd+NoT}
19 One way to deliver and mostly rear children (6) BREECH {BREEd}{CH}
22 Pretentious person expected special wheels (5) PSEUD {DUE}{SP}<=
24 Professional job without staff (9) POSTWOMAN {POST}{WO}{MAN}
26 A question and answer about atmosphere in fish tanks (7) AQUARIA {A}{QU}{A}{AIR<=}
27 Selfie accidentally captured leader of the sinister people? (7) LEFTIES {LEF{The}IES*}
28 Nothing necessary to work out answer right? (4-5) OKEY-DOKEY {O}{KEY}{DO}{KEY}
29 Relationship that is essential to preserve (3-2) TIE-IN {T{IE}IN}

DOWN
1   He who betrayed over a million in the name of religion (7) JUDAISM {JUDA{1}S}{M}
2   Truth about English side (5) FACET {FAC{E}T}
3   You're darn convoluted all the time ... (4-5) YEAR-ROUND*
4   ... Buzzer. Have a bit of normal level? (2,4) BE EVEN {BEE}{'VE}{N}
5   Sort of font, non-black, in bold pen over half of file (3,5) OLD STYLE {bOLD}{STY}{fiLE}
6   Take in each place going north (3,2) EAT UP {EA}{PUT<=}
7   Yoga positions thought to be detailed incidentally (2,2,5) AS AN ASIDE {ASANAS}{IDEa}
8   Strong drink has English herb (7) GINSENG {GIN'S}{ENG}
14 As such, adorable hound (9) PERSECUTE {PER SE}{CUTE}
16 Spoiling for what thing to get mad about (5,1,3) THROW A FIT {FOR+WHAT}*{IT}
17 Spa trips included in a special gift bag (8) KNAPSACK {KN{SPA*}ACK}
18 Very captivating opus conducted by female singer (7) SOPRANO {S{OP}{RAN}O}
20 Hard with a child to be practical (5,2) HANDS ON {H}{AND}{SON}
21 Girl, she lay abandoned (6) ASHLEY*
23 Yes in Russia Bolshevik is challenged (5) DARED {DA}{RED}
25 May's pronouncement leads to this by the earful? (5) MAIZE (~mays)

Reference List
Justice = J, Court = CT, Dead = D, Master = MA, Children = CH, Special = SP, Without = WO, Question = QU, Answer = A, A = 1, Million = M, Normal = N, Each = EA, Thing = IT, Very = SO, Hard = H

GRID

No 12606, Monday 22 Apr 2019, Buzzer

ACROSS
8   Fruit from Morocco as a whole (6) TOMATO {MA in TOTO}
9   Perhaps transport options between midnight and 2 o'clock — feet? (8) IAMBUSES {1 AM}{BUSES}
10 See red pasturage — tang, ryegrass infested (3,5) GET ANGRY [T]
11 Game of tag doubly hard during kick-off (3-3) KHO-KHO {K{H}O}{K{H}O}

12 Internet system in half of Taiwan? (4,4,7) WIDE AREA NETWORK {taiWAN}
14 Boils through couple of months at the start of summer (7) DECOCTS {DEC}{OCT}{Su...r}
16 It barely covers movement out of EU (1-6) G-STRING GeSTuRING
19 Neck brace little bit warmer (8,7)  ELECTRIC BLANKET*
22 Pay back money got from bloody boxing game (6) REFUND {RE{FUN}D}
24 Batting like that he spent hours worked up (2,1,5) IN A STATE {IN}{AS}{ThAT}{hE}
25 Not oddly alcohol's seen fun, having power to shed inhibitions (6,2) LOOSEN UP {aLcOhOlS+sEeN+fUn}{P}
26 Puzzle I've now open for general inspection (2,4) ON VIEW*

DOWN
1   Level of flings describing one (4,4) LOVE LIFE {LEVEL+OF}* osver {1} &lit
2   Standard fruit drink in March (6) PARADE {PAR}{ADE}
3   Composer like this, no good with practice run (10) SONGWRITER {SO}{N}{G}{W}{RITE}{R}
4   Floating leaf from little yard dad caught (4,3) LILY PAD {LIL}{Y{PA}D}
5   Crazy morning? Yes (4) AMOK {AM}{OK}
6   Unprepared for mostly stomach-turning contest (3-2-3) TUG-OF-WAR {RAW}{FOr}{GUT}<=
7   Tense atmosphere becoming a restraint (6) TETHER {T}{ETHER}
13 Sad overall, developing country (2,8) EL SALVADOR*

15 Love following a series of lectures no doubt (2,6) OF COURSE {O}{F}{COURSE}
17 Originally named metre high tropical growth (4,4) NEEM TREE {NEE}{METRE*}

18 Spare agent hiding wrongdoing briefly (7) SCRIMPY {S{CRIMe}PY}
20 Hide of alien glows when peeled (3,3) LIE LOW {aLIEn}{gLOWs}
21 Being inexperienced, taking time is natural (6) NATIVE {NA{T}IVE}
23 Ringing sound from a loud noise gee! (4) DING {DIN}{G}(~gee)

GRID

No 12577, Tuesday 19 Mar 19, Buzzer

ACROSS
9   Short-tail on Australian native bird (7) ROOSTER {STERn}<=>{ROO}
10 Mutation of clone embodying male group at a level (7) ECHELON {EC{HE}LON*}
11 North-eastern close ally? (5) NEPAL {NE}{PAL} &lit
12 Childhood years lady recollected (5,4) EARLY DAYS*
13 Stop agreeing so much and shut up (3,2,4) SAY NO MORE [DD]
14 Echoing prayer, receiver of ashes to feel sadness (5) MOURN {OM<=}{URN}
15 Nothing venerable about American subject (7) NEVADAN {NADA}{VEN}<=
17 Counsel is most comfortable with name-dropping (7) SUGGEST SnUGGEST
19 Knocked back magnificent drink (5) LAGER <=
20 Sort of curry to seek in earnest (3,3,3) CRY OUT FOR*
22 Special destructive avatar is of a goddess (9) SARASVATI {S}{AVATAR+IS}*

24 Do one's best every second in charge (5) ONSET {dO+oNeS+bEsT}
25 Island be turning into hint of very pale colour (3-4) ICE-BLUE {I}{C{BE<=}LUE}
26 I undo knots bound by handcuffs, irons primarily (7)  HOUDINI {I+UNDO}* in {Ha...s}{Ir...s} &lit

DOWN
1   Soaks up noise surrounding skating courses (6,2) DRINKS IN {D{RINKS}IN}
2   Toe the line and act out in a dense manner (6) COMPLY COMPactLY
3   Demanding task rounding up chartered roll at airport (1,4,5) A TALL ORDER [T<=]
4   Capital font we're developing (8) FREETOWN*
5   Costanza perhaps earthy, right revolting example (6) GEORGE {GEO}{R}{EG<=}
6   Way to pronounce serum (4) WHEY (~way)
7   Delight in unspoiled grassy lands (8) PLEASURE {P{LEAS}URE}
8   Complete agreement in how dune gets to be done (6) UNISON {UN is ON} to convert DUNE to DONE
14 Summon up a cast showcasing grand work of art (6,4) MAGNUM OPUS {SUMMON+UP}* over {G}
16 Attorney-General engaged in changes, changes that are unexpected (8) VAGARIES {V{AG}ARIES}
17 Case of kitty sneaking through small window (8) SKYLIGHT {S{KittY}LIGHT}
18 Take flight off Turin, Italy crossing borders (4,4) TURN TAIL {TURIN+iTALy}*
19 Look rigid taking one's snap (4,2) LOSE IT {LO}{SE{1}T}
20 Alpine accommodation is robust in cold temperature (6) CHALET {C}{HALE}{T}
21 Remains doubly stoic at first during defeat (6) FOSSIL {FO{St..c}{St..c}IL}
23 Pressure is solid in ball game for one (4) SOLO (-p+s)SOLO

GRID

No 12551, Saturday 16 Feb 2019, Buzzer

Across

1. Crib about master's degree becoming a struggle (6) COMBAT {CO{MBA}T}
5. Be silent softly biting edge of hard-shelled seafood (6) SHRIMP {SH}{RIM}{P}
10. Organised e-learning as a whole (2,7) IN GENERAL {E-LEARNING*}
11. Opening // position that's well suited (5) NICHE (DD)
12. Desi okra's beginning to deaden tongue (5) HINDI {bHINDI}
13. Familiar with spin, positive going for shot (7,2) SKILLED IN {S(-p+KILLED)IN}
14. Not knowing what to do // in deficit (2,1,4) AT A LOSS (DD)
16. Let in again, study at prestigious university (7) READMIT {READ}{MIT}
18. Attempt to seduce date somehow not dirty? (3,2,2) TRY IT ON {TRY+IT+ON+D*} ={NOT+DIRTY}
20. Hate Buzzer no end (expletive) (2,5) BE LOATH {BE Ll}{OATH}
21. Streaming video's end deteriorated dramatically (9) NOSEDIVED {VIDEOS_END*}
23. Coming around before weight gets silly (5) TWERP {{PRE}{WT}<=}
25. Those inclined to refuse nuclear warning (2-3)  NO-MEN {N}{O-MEN}
26. Inexpensive packing box holding collection (5-4) CHEAP-RATE {C{HEAP}RATE}
27. Coves from France, Japan or Germany, special (6) FJORDS {F}{J}[OR}{D}[S}
28. Japanese city kilometres away from its capital, central for stay (6) TOYOTA {TOkYO}{sTAy}

Down

2. With nothing good inside tore off newspaper (5) ORGAN {O}{R{G}AN}
3. Marsupial group one caught, too jumped-up (9) BANDICOOT {BAND}{I}{C}{TOO<=}
4. Has belief to overcome heroin urges (7) THRUSTS {T{H}RUSTS}
5. Say regular red soil for cultivation (7) SOLDIER {RED+SOIL*}
6. Urged nearly having regular checks of the kidneys (5) RENAL {uRgEd}{NeArLy}
7. Disclaim ad a campaign broadcast that's up a tree (9) MACADAMIA (T<=)
8. Kid is hear ten, in gaol for stealing — not encouraging (13) DISHEARTENING (T) Full marks for the attempt at such a long telescopic clue. Not convinced about the surface & the indicator
9. Certain electric phenomena, apt to describe Tesla (5,2,6) MEANT TO HAPPEN {PHENOMENA+APT*} around {T}
15. Content with missionary as a major religious body (4,5) ARYA SAMAJ (T)
17. Palate boy damaged with solvent (4,2,3) ABLE TO PAY {PALATE+BOY*}
19. Sees time running out for very many students (7) NOVICES {NO(-t+V)ICES}
20. Ideal to have doctor primarily endorse this? (3,4) BED REST {BE{D R}{Endorse}ST} &lit
22. Fairy godmother to dress in gold (5)  DONOR {DON}{OR}
24. On reflection dismiss court demand (5) EXACT {AXE<=}{CT}

Reference List

Master's degree=MBA, Be silent=Sh, Softly=P, Positive=P, Date=D, Before= Pre, Weight=Wt, Nuclear=N, France=F, Japan=J, Germany=D, Special=S, Kilometres=K
Nothing=O, Good=G, One=I, Caught=C, Heroin=H, Tesla=T, Time=T, Very=V, Doctor=Dr, Gold=Or, Court=Ct

Colour/Font Scheme

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

Bhargav's Talepiece

Yeh toh honahee thah?

Rani spoke to her Valentine in HINDI.

ARYA tu yeh toh SAMAJ!

What our friend Paul wished is not really MEANT TO HAPPEN here in India. IN GENERAL we here are very conservative.

No doubt Paul had enough and more money. As a student from Australia he had his own TOYOTA car. Never went for CHEAP RATE gifts. He was easily ABLE TO PAY for costly gifts like MACADAMIA nuts and expensive dresses.

But his spirits had NOSE DIVED.

And the EXACT reason?

(After giving the camisole he had asked Pooja to TRY IT ON (in his presence). The denial was quite DISHEARTENING).

GRID

No 12525, Thursday 17 Jan 2019, Buzzer

ACROSS
1   Variety in clueing often is bending and bowing (12) GENUFLECTION*
8   Most of publisher's book description is smear (4) BLUR Anno pending (Addendum - BLURb - See comments)
9   Discover heavenly body with green light right away (4,2,4) COME TO KNOW {COMET}{OK}{NOW}
11 Up-to-date comedian a success (4-2) WITH-IT {WIT}{HIT}
12 Crazy about sell-off they have nothing in their possession (4,4) NULL SETS {NU{SELL*}TS}
14 Attributes of born-again Indian (4) NAGA [T]
16 English cricketer won good contest after batting with only tail (1,1,5) W G GRACE {W}{G}{b...nG}{RACE}

18 Sound from TV describing catch (7) TENABLE {TE{NAB}LE}
19 Foolish one dropping off in jacket (4) JERK JERKin
22 Custom length, about right for mini vehicle (5,3) MODEL CAR {MODEL}{CA}{R} (Correction - {MODE}{L} {CA}{R} - See comments)
23 Settling on a loveless endless routine (2,1,3) IN A RUT {RoUTINe}* over {A} &lit
24 Bowled with urgency finding an edge to dismiss (5,5) BRUSH ASIDE {B}{RUSH}{A}{SIDE}
26 Unit showing resistance to the end, hardly that's a surprise (2,2) OH MY {OHM}{h...lY}
27 Those with ticks kept at arm's length? (5,7) WRIST WATCHES [CD]

DOWN
2   Elements of fear, then war engulfing Terracotta? (11) EARTHENWARE [T]
3   Oh no, uncouth and rough (5) UNCUT UNCoUTh
4   Monsieur tends to embrace French city (2,4) LE MANS {LE{M}ANS}
5   To crack a clue got a checklist? (9) CATALOGUE*
6   Kind of dairy product needing no introduction (3) ILK mILK
7   Comprehensive career with neither start nor end in sight (3-2) ALL-IN {cALLINg}
10 Scientific study of light and time down to three subject matters (6) OPTICS (-t)OP(+t)TICS
13 Assume snappy attitude to speaker is unusual (6,1,4) STRIKE A POSE*
15 German antique figure found around a tourist city (4,5) GOLD COAST {G}{OLD}{CO{A}ST} Buzzer's residence
17 Take in with gusto Kapil of India (6) DEVOUR {DEV}{OUR}
20 Three upcoming art houses OK screening international (6) TROIKA {TR{O{I}K}A<=}
21 Singular card game like an intoxicating drink (5) RUMMY [DD]
23 Intestinal fortitude essentially on field leading to century (5) ILEAC {f..tIt..e}{LEA}{C}
25 Honorific sure is used frequently (3) SRI {SuRe+Is}

GRID

No 12503, Friday 21 Dec 2018, Buzzer

RULES FOR POSTING ON 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.

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 2 PM.

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

ACROSS
1   Husband let out shrieks contorting face (6) KISSER ShRIEKS*
5   Fashionable male inwardly flat as a dumbbell (7) PINHEAD {P{IN}{HE}AD}
9   Corrupt, heavily scorned method of payment (4,2,8) CASH ON DELIVERY*
11 Words describing heat primarily (6) THERMS {T{Heat}ERMS} &lit
12 Advantage in this place to toe the line (6,2) ADHERE TO {AD}{HERE} {TO}
13 Sacred composition encountered taking in Old Testament (5) MOTET {M{OT}ET}
14 Cheat kind Asians heartily in partnerships (9) CONSORTIA {CON}{SORT}{asIAns}
16 Cosmetic and conservative changes to car model (4,5) COLD CREAM {C}{CAR+MODEL}*
18 Rectangular slab carrying diamond symbol (5) TILDE {TIL{D}E}

~

20 Universal in America lay out west normally (5,3) USUAL WAY {US{U}A}{L{W}AY}
22 Craftier but not at forging of iron (6) FERRIC CRaFtIER*
24 Robe-de-chambre — a thing spa centre stocks for relaxation time (9,5) BREATHING SPACE [T]
25 When texting are you smart or becoming dull? (7) RUSTING (~are you){R U}{STING}
26 Acclaims from many about son (6) EXTOLS {EX}{LOT<=}{S}

DOWN
2   Hard, on average getting into premier institute, but found the solution (1,4,2) I HAVE IT {I{H}{AVE}IT}
3   Symbolic representation of catechism (9) SCHEMATIC*
4   Fellow rejected for open position (4) RANK fRANK
5   Buzzer perhaps, belonging to me, not really outstanding/special on reflection (9) PSEUDONYM {MY}{NO DUE}{SP}<=
6   Sound of hooter ringing around island (5) NOISE {NO{I}SE}
7   Factor in exclusive operation running away with lover (7) ELEMENT ELopEMENT
8   24 hours to arrest individual in Florida's town for speed trial (7,5)  DAYTONA BEACH {DAY}{TO}{NAB}{EACH}

10 Brat mum and I once disciplined. He's 2 (6,6) ATOMIC NUMBER {BRAT+MUM+I+ONCE}*
14 Pieces of mediocre mat in garage turning to ashes (9) CREMATING [T]
15 Right now in a difficult situation (2,3,4) ON THE SPOT [DD]
17 Honours a rule put in place through Lok Sabha (7) LAURELS {L{A+RULE}*S}
19 Poetic feet for mythological say, versifier Valmiki epic Ramayana, metrical (7) LYRICAL Tail Acrostic
21 Hit out with a long twirling club (5) LATHI {HIT}*{A}{L}<=
23 Unpleasant character into forgeries often (4) OGRE fOrGeRiEs

GRID

No 12476, Tuesday 20 Nov 2018, Buzzer

ACROSS
6   Afraid Lost Diadem's hiding a bit of You-Know-Who (8) DISMAYED {DISMA{Yo...o}ED*}
9   Tea and sympathy at first for couples (6) CHAINS {CHAI}{'N}{Sy...y}
10 Favourite local denizen of Europe (4) FINN {F}{INN}
11 Shining one going off like a signal when stopping (5,5) BRAKE LIGHT {BR{LIKE+A}*iGHT} Semi&lit
12 Word for silence that's anagram of itself! (6) STIFLE*
14 Opposed to guards trashing half of island (7) ANTIGUA {ANTI}{GUArds}
15 Being convivial, to some downright silly (2,4,5,4) ON GOOD TERMS WITH*
18 Not oddly superb in ring, one at the receiving end of stick (3,4) CUE BALL {C{sUpErB}ALL}
20 Happy and steady runs for good solver (6) JOYOUS {JO(-g+you)YOUS}
22 Fashionable diva greets with jumper in a rock concert (5-5) STAGE-DIVER*

23 Way indifference is shown by not taking sides (4) PATH aPATHy
24 Tries Ecstasy — it transports people into another world (6) HEARSE {HEARS}{E}
25 Charity club member on-air at orphanage overwhelmed on reflection (8) ROTARIAN [T<=]

DOWN
1   'Ladies only' sign? (4) OMEN {O}{MEN}
2   Foodstuff be dreary to bake (3,5) RYE BREAD*
3   Not say no to say except (6) ACCEPT (~except)
4   Speaking out in Latin, a habit that is reducing (6,4) TAKING AWAY {TAlKING}{A}{WAY}
5   As a whole caught man red-handed (2,3,3) IN THE ACT {INT{HE}ACT}
7   Stupid one. Drinking Iodine (5) IDIOT {1}{D{I}OT} . = dot
8   Mudra — wave I love ritualistically covered in mask (4,1,4,4) DRAW A VEIL OVER [T]
13 Wedding helper will for e.g. cast around roses primarily (6,4) FLOWER GIRL {WILL+FOR+EG}* over {Ro..s}
16 New and cool Bond's fine points (8) NICETIES {N}{ICE}{TIES}
17 More than half coming of age (8) MAJORITY [DD]
19 Article depicted to make name for a man (6) ANDREW {AN}{DREW}
21 Fanatic, unorthodox ritual, one needing sacrifice (5) ULTRA RiTUAL*
23 A grand benefit (4) PERK {PER}{K}

GRID

No 12452, Monday 22 Oct 2018, Buzzer

ACROSS
1   Moving to wide slip keeps runs down (3-8) LOW-SPIRITED {TO+WIDE+SLIP}* over {R}
9   Private leaving navy, a changed person (6) COVERT COnVERT
10 Embarrassed mixing up he's, his penning epistle (8) SHEEPISH {HES+HIS}* over {EP}
11 Small and delicate fish losing front flipper (5) ELFIN {eEL}{FIN}
12 English singer entertaining queen with skill (5,2) EQUAL TO {E}{QU}{ALTO}
13 Battle of Atlanta's listing (2,1,5) AT A SLANT*
15 Look over fashionable hide (4,2) KEEP IN {PEEK<=} {IN}
16 Bolt is second in sprint after 10 metres (6) DECAMP {DECA}{M}{sPr..t}
18 Critical remarks in places of political unrest leaders of hostile parties exchanged (3,5) POT SHOTS {-h+p){POT} {S(-p+h)HOTS}
20 Storm encountered on the way back. It's a nuisance (7) TEMPEST {MET<=}{PEST}
21 Film unit disrupting shift (5) MOVIE {MOV{1}E}
22 Take liberties playing some piano out in the middle (6,2) IMPOSE ON {SOME+PIaNO}*
23 Skirt the edges of gemutlich site of Taj Mahal (6) GHAGRA {Ge...cH}{AGRA}
24 Guide everybody through present disaster (4,7) LEAD BALLOON {LEAD} {B{ALL}OON}

DOWN
2   Difficult task catching foe masquerading as insider (3,2,2) ONE OF US {ON{FOE*}US}
3   It kicks off first round before long delay (3,2) S?T ?N (Addendum - SIT ON {S(-o+it)IT ON} - See comments)

4   Examine where cult members are taking in pastor (7) INSPECT {IN}{S{P}ECT}

5   In kitchen, brunch (kiev) to be had often by cooler (3,6) ICE BUCKET {kItChEn+BrUnCh+KiEv+To}
6   Turn out with old bean (7) EXPULSE {EX}{PULSE}
7   Preparing to memorise absorbing article for later (4,5,4) SOME OTHER TIME {TO+MEMORISE}* over {THE}
8   Splash o' tint hear Manet described as positive influence (1,4,2,3,3) A SHOT IN THE ARM [T]
14 Pick up twig (9) APPREHEND [DD]
17 Excellent registered doctor within radius perhaps (3,4) ARM BONE {R}{MB} in {A ONE}
18 One of Potter's auntie in a way, Lily's relative? (7) PETUNIA {Po...r}{AUNTIE*}
19 Try hard, be well and happy with past (4,1,2) HAVE A GO {H}{AVE}{AGO}
21 Majority of cast entertaining grand and powerful producer (5) MOGUL {MO{G}ULd}

GRID

No 12426, Thursday 20 Sep 2018, Buzzer

ACROSS
1   Door always opens to achieve success (3,2) WAY IN {wAYs} in WIN Not sure of Anno (Addendum - {W{AY}IN} - See comments)
4   Water essentially, flowing into vast channel (2,7) TV STATION {waTer}{INTO+VAST}*
9   Drop of reddish purple colour ran across (7) PLUMMET {PLUM}{MET}
10 Admit reluctantly tax shelters working fine (7) CONFESS {C{ON}{F}ESS}
11 Back opposition? (5,4) OTHER SIDE [DD]
12 Cable network group dropping the ball getting explosive material (1-4) H-BOMB {HBO}{MoB}
13 In total shambles king's address (4,2) TALK TO {K} in {TOTAL}*
15 Monitor showing W, H but not I, D? Go for return (8) WATCHDOG {W}{AiTCH}{D}{GO<=}
18 Chance of never-ending rains sweeping through UK (3,1,4) RUN A RISK {n..eR}{U{RAINS*}K}
19 Crib primarily for new baby really (2,4) IN FACT INFA(-n+c)CT
22 Greener pastures for a drunkard with restraint (5) LEASH {LEAS}H Anno pending (Addendum - ~ leash - See comments)
24 Beef or tuna teatime sandwiches, heaven-sent (9) FORTUNATE [T]
26 Picks petition describing court rule (7) PLECTRA {PLE{CT}{R}A}

27 Head waiter and helper girl carrying evenly carved turkey (6,1) MAITRE D {MAI{TuRkEy}D}
28 Signing up for battle, not a normal teen (9) ENROLMENT {NORMaL+TEEN}*
29 Fine square type yard (5) SILKY {S}{ILK}{Y}

DOWN
1   Why pout? By the sound of it in disappointment (7) WIPEOUT (~why pout)
2   Juvenile one reading two-thirds of article (5) YOUTH {YOU}{THe}
3   One of an upper group in a vulgar division (9) NUMERATOR [CD]
4   Piece of tasty thing nibbled at (6) TITBIT [DD] (Addendum - {Ta..y}{IT}{BIT} - See comments)
5   Like Channel Islands and the rest of community (8) SOCIETAL {SO}{CI}{ET AL}
6   Suburb of Pune with surrounding university hospital (5) AUNDH {A{U}ND}{H}
7   Competitive No.1 dealing hiding, beats me (3,2,4) I'VE NO IDEA [T]
8   Sack be so, feeding horse? (7) NOSEBAG {BE+SO}* in {NAG} &lit
14 Listen to inner voice ignoring surging adrenaline (4,2,3) LEND AN EAR ADRENALiNE*
16 Tons of carbon and uranium found among items (9) CENTURIES {C}{ENT{U}RIES}
17 A very smooth opener for England in recent times (2,2,4) AS OF LATE {A}{SO}{FLAT}{En...d}
18 Cast pearls before swine ultimately a setback (7) RELAPSE {PEARLS*}{s..nE}
20 24 hours to compose duet say (7) TUESDAY*
21 Quick reminder (6) PROMPT [DD]
23 House rent raised for boarding place (5) HOTEL {HO}{LET<=}
25 Pair in prison judge sent away for a month (5) APRIL {jA{PR}IL}

GRID

Bhargav's Talepiece

The bouncer and the dancer - Part 105

A bright and sunny TUESDAY in the month of APRIL.

Major General Jackson wearing a SILKY blue shirt came out of the HOTEL where he was staying and  was respectfully greeted by the MAITRE 'D.

He soon entered the WAY IN at the Army HQ and was as usual PROMPT in keeping the appointment. After the introductions Jackson began to TALK TO those present.

Everyone did keenly LEND AN EAR to what he was about to say. IN FACT Jackson was brief. He said that years back they did not want to RUN A RISK in writing down the message. But to confuse the OTHER SIDE they had made a few envelopes with dummy messages.

The idea was to put the enemies on a wild goose chase and were very FORTUNATE in having achieved the same.

By efflux of time the matter and the list had lost its importance. But the enemies were kept busy!!

TIT-BIT:

Uncle Sam and Gombu were relieved on the appearance of Maj. General Jackson and the clarification given.

And thus we come to the end of the Bouncer and the Dancer.