No 14891, Saturday 05 Sep 2026, Pixie Dust

HAPPY TEACHERS DAY TO ALL THE TEACHERS HERE

Artwork by Prasanna

 ACROSS

7 Extremely corrupt amateur (egghead) agent missing now and then (6) AUGEAN (amAteUr+eGghEad+AgeNt}
8 Forego pals? Not so casually in child's play (8) LEAPFROG {FOREGo PALs}*

9 Topped stretching in workout (8) TRAINING {sTRAINING} 
10 Exiled man in Germany refused entry to begin with (6) EMIGRE [Acrostic] Semi & Lit
11 Doubt dead legends? (4,4) COLD FEET {COLD}{FEET} Legend=End of leg=foot
12 Dismiss wriggling of a fly (3-3) LAY-OFF*
13 Ya! Count over and over in book-keeping? (11) ACCOUNTANCY {YA COUNT}*[Letter Bank] 

18 A Republican member of parliament has appeal in sweater? (6) ARMPIT {A}{R}{MP}{IT}
20 Gasp! I ran towards hiding suitor (8) ASPIRANT [T]
22 Elitist returns first class miniature plant (6) BONSAI {SNOB<}{AI}

23 Formless, trendy confectionery? No, pass! (8) INCHOATE {IN}{CHOcolATE}
24 Rich Neapolitan Sauce from one of New York's Five Families (8) GENOVESE [DD]
25 A grave tribute? (6) EULOGY [CD]

DOWN
1 Runner's back around end of June with Professor's reward (7) GUERDON {R{junE}UG<}{DON}
2 Once in a while, every idiotic criminal losing it perhaps (8) PERIODIC {PER}{iDIOtIC*}
3 Live? So soon! Will I win debate finally (6) ONLINE [Tail Acrostic]
4 Animal upset about bloomer (8) CAMELLIA {CAMEL}{AIL<}

5 Some enjoy GIF featuring revolutionary figure (6) EFFIGY [T<]

6 Bluff about extremely feisty char (7) TORREFY {TOR}{RE}{FeistY}
8 Kindling Spooner's conflict with a story-teller? (8,1,4) LIGHTING A FIRE Spoonerism of     FIGHTING A LIAR
14 Devil came through? (8) OUTLIVED {DEVIL*}[RA]
15 Doh! These ride sharing arrangements made a mess of a school drop? (3,5) CAR POOLS {CAR POOLS+DOH}*= A SCHOOL DROP
16 Impudent when cycling around upright, humble cavalryman (7) TROOPER {(+T)TPER(-t)} around {POOR<} Pert is impudent and PERT cycling is TPER. Humble=Poor. A lost P is unaccounted for.
16 Impudent when cycling around upright, humble, masked cavalryman (7) TROOPER {(+T)TPER(-t)} around {pOOR<} Clue modified by Pixie Dust

17 To some extent buffoons tag equilibrists in view of the audience (7) ONSTAGE [T]
19 Handgun's part of a blossom, we hear (6) PISTOL {~PISTIL}
21 Spot alien's bag (6) POCKET {POCK}{ET}

Reference List

Republican=R, Member of parliament=MP, (Sex) Appeal=it, First Class=A1=AI, About=Re, Alien=ET (Extra-Terristrial).

No 14890, Friday 04 Sep 2026, Pixie Dust

HAPPY  JANMASHTAMI

Artwork by Prasanna

Rangoli by Gowri

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

7   Being very new, dropping every second fish (6) BIGEYE {BeInG+vErY+nEw}

8   Portrait's irritating without moustache essentially (8) PAINTING {PAIN{m..sTa..e}ING}

9   Performing star singer is perhaps missing a visitor (8)  STRANGER {STAR+siNGER}*

10 Extremely exotic resting place! Sweet (6) ECLAIR {Ex..iC}{LAIR}

11 Cordiality found in Guggenheim? Oh! Nobody was sent back (8) BONHOMIE [T<=]

12 Ten reportedly perished in compound (6) IODIDE {10}{(~died)DIDE)

13 Techie set the ball rolling? (5,3,3) BREAK THE ICE {TECHIE}* [RA]

18 Say Cruise with Jerry's partner making a comeback in 'The Bird' (6) MOTMOT {TOM}{TOM}<=

20 Penny leaving busy airport wearing glasses for a musical (8) ORATORIO {AIRpORT}* in {OO}

22 Some children nabbed swivelling Jack (6) BANNER [T<=]

23 Do your best backing flower business (8) INDUSTRY {TRY}<=>{INDUS}

24 Skirt around old Buddhist monastery to find power, a measure of it (8) KILOWATT {KIL{O}{WAT}T}

25 Fun for crook to take flight (6) RUNOFF*

DOWN

1   Elocution of contradictions (7) DICTION [T]

2   Found a quiet husband or perhaps it's an implied comparison (8) METAPHOR {MET}{A}{P}{H}{OR}

3   Endless border crowding weird tree (3,3) RED GUM {EDGe} in {RUM}

4   Elfin repeatedly used safety device? (8) LIFELINE {ELFIN}* [Letter Bank}

5   Stupid firm filled with traitors from the beginning (6) STOLID {S{Tr...s}OLID}

6   Star while cycling around loop puts feet up (7) UNWINDS {(-s)UN(+s)S} over {WIND}

8   Can this purist make a mess of proficient stance? (13) PERFECTIONIST {PERFECTIONIST+CAN}* = {PROFICIENT+STANCE} 

14 Being a main channel gift European currency (8)  ARTERIAL {ART}{E}{RIAL}

15 Preferring first pair of chants over old carol (8) CHOOSING {CHa..s}{O}{O}{SING}

16 Consequently tourist town in Greece becomes an independent country (7) SOMALIA {SO}{MALIA}

17 Spooner's clear displeasure for this part of the body? (7) MIDRIFF (~rid miff to midriff)

19 Car's working? Yes Man! (6) MINION {MINI}{ON}

21 They are scaled but not the first in pecking orders (6) ADDERS lADDERS

Reference List

Penny = P, Old = O, Quiet = P, Husband = H, European = E, Over = O

No 14862, Monday 03 Aug 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 21A 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Masked traffickers and escorts (6) USHERS pUSHERS

5   Dismiss exhibitionist replacing old woman with runner (5,3) SHRUG OFF {SH(-ow+rug)RUG OFF}

9   Tackle a very soft insect (8) APPROACH {A}{PP}{ROACH}

10 I study a great deal of Frost...Classic! (6 ) ICONIC {I}{CON}{ICe}

11 Control panels? So drab! (10)  DASHBOARDS {SO+BRAD}* [RA]

12 Archbishop's skirt (4) TUTU [DD]

13 Uzbekistani Techie Lobo Agnus seen regularly in winter sport (8) BIATHLON {uzBekIstAni+TecHie+LobO+agNus}

16 European repelled by journo slipped away (6) ELOPED {POLE<=}{ED}

17 Recoiled after Superintendent of Police gave a buzz (6) SPRANG {SP}{RANG} 

19 The Don is thus sheltering a pleasure seeker (8) HEDONIST* [T]

21 Box picked up for a piece of metal at end of an arrow (4) ?O?K (Addendum NOCK (~knock) See comments) 

22 Can Ted be employed again and again in family? (10) ANTECEDENT {CAN+TED}* [Letter Bank]

25 Indian state, large and mountainous (6) UPLAND {UP}{L}{AND}

26 Narcissistic outings? (3,5) EGO TRIPS [CD]

27 Nonsense crew, declares Spooner - withdraw! (4,4) PULL BACK (~bull pack to pull back)

28 Asch, Kyle & Alan discovered a nymph that became a sea-monster (6) SCYLLA {aSCh}{kYLe}{aLAn}

DOWN

2   Subtle, earthy pigmentation in art-galleries basically? (5) SEPIA Acrostic &lit

3   Elements of objective art highlighting our planet (5) EARTH [T]

4   Look legendary Welsh King delivered finely ground pulverised material (3,4) SEACOAL (~see cole)

5   Asha somehow managed one originating from the African Desert (7) SAHARAN {ASHA}*{RAN}

6   Rise up and plead for release once more (7) REISSUE {RISE*}{SUE}

7   Goths won't bust a deserted community (5,4) GHOST TOWN*

8   I sent fans out in exhaustion (9) FAINTNESS*

14 Unprepared, independent member of parliament meets Trump casually around 1st of October (9) IMPROMPTU {I}{MP}{R{Oc...r}MPTU*}

15 Giant bearing pain with black electronic device (9) TRACKBALL {T{RACK}{B}ALL}

18 Ultimately amazing supporter, a superman, proud champ 'Dada' (7) GRANDPA [Tail Acrostic] Semi&lit

19 Not right! Criminal to shred Kevin's shared workstation (7) HOT DESK {TO+SHrED}*{K}

20 Are these drug dealers making a mess of Taco orders? (7) DOCTORS {DOCTORS+ARE}*=TACO ORDERS

23 Tarnished parts of spiky trident held up (5) DIRTY [T<=]

24 The French writer sent back to country (5) NEPAL {LA}{PEN}<=

Reference List

Old = O, Woman = W, Very soft = PP, Study = CON, Journo = ED(itor), Superintendent of Police = SP, Large = L, Independent = I, Member of Parliament = MP, Black = B, Kevin = K, The in French = LA

No 14861, Saturday 01 Aug 2026, Pixie Dust

 ACROSS
7 Air bubbles from damaged mobile (6) EMBOLI*
8 Not the first meal with short, sweet punch (8) UPPERCUT {sUPPER}{CUTe}

9 Disreputable persons repeatedly using a fir! (8) RIFFRAFF {A FIR}* [Letter Bank]
10 Independent male left foreign trade (6) IMPORT {I}{M}{PORT}
11 Disgusted Tom Cruise abandoning one user (8) CUSTOMER {TOM CRUiSE}*
12 Grandpa youthfully concealing distribution of money (3,3) PAY OUT [T]
13 Feverish pirate uses soft wipes (6,5) TISSUE PAPER {PIRATE USES P}*
18 High (from the beginning) she heard repetitive, incessant, loud litany (6) SHRILL [Acrostic]
20 Is this type of wooden case destroying aesthetics? (3,5) TEA CHEST {IS+TEA CHEST}*=AESTHETICS [CA]

22 Guard briefly thwarting initial attempt to split the eardrums (6) DEAFEN {DE{Attempt}FENd}
23 Spooner's dignity, lure and interest perhaps? (4,4) BANK RATE Spoonerism of RANK BAIT
24 Naughty Alice smothering mother and Herb (8) CAMOMILE ALICE* around MOM

25 Colfax mopes every now and then for fixes! (6) CLAMPS {CoLfAx MoPeS}

DOWN
1 Wicked rascal acknowledged dues (7) IMPIOUS {IMP}{IOUS}
2 Jerk cycling around often shredded pieces of coloured paper (8) CONFETTI {(+C)TI(-c)} around {OFTEN*}

3 Please //lay down weapons (6) DISARM [DD]
4 Ape a plant? (5-3) SPLIT PEA {APE}* [RA]

5 Stupid doctor, mainly ignorant, pathetic and extremely prickly (6) DRIPPY {DR}{Ignorant}{Pathetic}{PricklY}

6 Nearly upset bowl on top containing copper in the univalent state (7) CUPROUS {ROUSe}<=>{CUP}
8 Notable Battle of Rugen, perhaps (13) UNFORGETTABLE*
14 Resentment carried out without a bit of emotion's amazing! (8) SPLENDID {SPLEeN}{DID}
15 True! The reality is exposing something exquisite! (8) ETHEREAL [T]
16 Backtracking, loathe tailing revolutionary animal (7) CHEETAH {HATE<}<=>{CHE}

17...that is describing very elevated form of element (7) ISOTOPE {I{SO}{TOP}E}
19 Some werewolf nimbly reversing tide (6) INFLOW [T<]
21 Intermittently alarming, fierce bait for Leopard's-Bane! (6) ARNICA {AlaRmiNg fIerCe bAit}

REFERENCE LIST

Independent=I, Male=M, One=1=I, Acknowledged Dues=IOUs, Doctor=Dr., Revolutionary=Che (Guevara), that is=i.e. (id est).

No 14833, Tuesday 30 Jun 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 6D 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

7   Protagonist nicked addictive substance (6) HEROIN {HEROINe}

8   To begin with wonderful, obviously original display - warm, opulently rich Kashmiri-style carpentry (8) WOODWORK Acrostic

9   Bill breaking free of compulsive behaviours and expressions (8) DICTIONS adDICTIONS

10 Declares: "Pixie Dust dividing shell money!" (6) CLAIMS {CLA{I}MS}

11 Fictional miser losing love for a French bum (8) SCROUNGE SCRO(-o+un)UNGE

12 To a certain extent felt sensually repelled in snuggle (6) NESTLE [T<=]

13 The 'MACS' repeatedly played tournaments? (4,7) TEST MATCHES {THE+MACS}* Letter Bank

18 Fictional detective's biographer, as per reports questioned boy (6) WATSON (~what son)

20 Vision I quote in conversation (8) EYESIGHT {I}{(~cite)SIGHT}

22 Some misread her enchantment for Bond (6) ADHERE [T]

23 Can this masquerader redesign a crimson top? (8) IMPOSTOR {IMPOSTOR+CAN}*=A CRIMSON TOP [CA]

24 Authentic, clear garlic soup without traces of olives and parsley (8) SURGICAL {GARLIC+SoUp}*

25 Blue-collar worker from Colombo will binge every now and then (6) COOLIE {ColOmbO+wiLl+bIngE}

DOWN

1   Spooner says: "The rest and I talk behind their back entrance!" (7) BEWITCH (~we bitch to bewitch)

2   Open spot? Perhaps take a rain check! (8) POSTPONE*

3   Native of Banjarmasin, Borneo (6) INBORN [T]

4   Stuck-up Dominic in a clover, exposed and dangerous (8) VOLCANIC [T<=]

5   Hits outside net essentially and panics (6) SWEATS {SW{nEt}ATS}

6   Member cycling around strange black object (7) ?R?M?L? (Addendum - GRUMBLE {(+g)GLE(-g)} over {RUM}{B} - See comments)

8   Let Maria refuse! (5,8) WASTE MATERIAL {MARIA+LET}* [RA]

14 Drive nurse to Easthampton on vacation with Charlie Yen (8) TENDENCY {TEND}{Ea...oN}{C}{Y}

15 Release young girl endlessly overwhelmed by mounting racket (8) EMISSION {MISs} in {NOISE<=}

16 Honesty from John Grim (7) CANDOUR {CAN}{DOUR}

17 Deranged gossip about Oscar I see in texting (7) CHAOTIC {CHA{O}T}{I}{(~see)C}

19 Delivered butcher's toboggan (6) SLEIGH (~slay)

21 Imagine master having no right adopting canine (6) EXPECT EXPE(-r+c)CT

Reference List

Bill = AD, A in French = UN, Strange = RUM, Black = B, Charlie = C, Yen = Y, John = CAN, Oscar = O, Right = R, Canine = C

No 14832, Monday 29 Jun 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 3D 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Perhaps the curt city folk (6) ETHNIC {THE*}{NICe} 

5   Drug seller is quick covering damage (8) PHARMACY {P{HARM}ACY}

9   Clueless Inspector General's tirade overwhelming new officer at first (8) IGNORANT {IG}{RANT} over {N}{Of...r}

10 Is this creator redesigning pantries? (6) PARENT {PARENT+IS}=PANTRIES [CA]

11 Surprisingly, strange associate quits subsequently in support (10) STRENGTHEN {STRaNGE}*{THEN}

12 Member cycling around a storm (4) GALE {(+g)GLE(-g)} over {A}

13 Like a stag, colony resident ogled - abandoning last trace of shame (8) ANTLERED {ANT}{LEeRED}

16 Hence the French people, heartless and glum (6) SOLEMN {SO}{LE}{MeN}

17 Florida completes uniformly chosen constructions (6) FRAMES {FloRidA+coMplEteS}

19 Most insensitive subset to bust (8) OBTUSEST*

21 Magnificent huskies smuggled in this manner (4) THUS [T]

22 Quarrelsome Finny ruled out (10) UNFRIENDLY*

25 Character without bit of loyalty and grace (6) FAVOUR FlAVOUR

26 In comparison, some vital errands partly withdrawn (8) RELATIVE [T<=]

27 Anxious playing drest repeatedly? (8) STRESSED DREST* [Letter Bank]

28 Come, rise, dance exhibiting revolutionary passion (6) DESIRE [T<=]

DOWN

2   Close tense contest! Missed the beginning (5) TIGHT {T}{fIGHT}

3   Discovered snoop uses net (5) N?O?E (Addendum - NOOSE {sNOOp}{uSEs} - See comments)

4   German supporting family blunder (7) CLANGER {GER}<=>{CLAN}

5   Spotted Penny at church with journalist (7) PATCHED {P}{AT}{CH}{ED}

6   A lecturer flags plants (7) ALPINES {A}{L}{PINES} 

7   Bloomers from post-graduate doctor and grey-haired saint (9) MARIGOLDS {MA}{RIG}{OLD}{S}

8   Wild dance around large infinite pole in Christian festival (9) CANDLEMAS {CAND{L}E*}{MASt}

14 Point of Mathematician or the astronomer (9) NORTHEAST [T]

15 Rock's tipping point, Mark switching places with Lira (9) LIMESTONE (-m+l)LI(-l+m)MESTONE

18 Son leaves carrying revolver finally and shoots (7) SQUIRTS {S}{QUI{r...eR{TS}

19 Advanced deer? (7) OFFERED {DEER}* [RA]

20 Delighted Henry quit and laughed in a high-pitched voice (7) TRILLED ThRILLED

23 Records Spooner's accents (5) NOTES (tones to notes}

24 Celebrate climbing bar (5) LEVER<=

Reference List

New = N, Associate = A, The in French = LE, Tense = T, Penny = P, Church = CH, Journalist = ED(Editor), Lecturer = L, Post-Graduate = MA< Saint = S, Large = L, Mark = M, Lira = L, Son = S, Henry = H

No 14803, Tuesday 26 May 2026, Pixie Dust

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

7  Spooner exclaims:"I fall flat for lady!" (6) FEMALE (~me fail to female)

8   Legendary skill? (8) FOOTWORK [CD]

9   What's behind sacrifice? Fatherhood - laying aside past forever! (8) ETERNITY {s...cE}{paTERNITY} PA/Past?

10 Honey producers controlling half a dozen groups (6) BEVIES {BE{VI}ES}

11 Saurashtra's captain, fast bowler's an astronaut (8) SPACEMAN {Sa...a}{PACEMAN}

12 Factor in Archetypal Lord's ashen hue (6) PALLOR [T]

13 A net is used several times in murder? (11) ASSASSINATE {A+NET+IS}* [Letter Bank]

18 Snake swallowed sandwiches, bit of liver and pieces of ears and arms (6) HALDEA {HA{Li..r}D}{Ears}{Arms}

20 Global organisation to drawback? Unfortunate! (8) UNTOWARD {UN}{TO}{DRAW<=}

22 That is Sue's wrapping paper (6) TISSUE [T]

23 Angelic Emma pays Riemann from time to time (8) EMPYREAN {EmMa+PaYs+RiRmAnN}

24 Off guard, Doctor Anu swears, endlessly (8) UNAWARES {ANU+SWEARs}*

25 William for one, cycling around trendy framework (6) LINTEL {(+l)LTEL(-l)} over {IN}

DOWN

1   So, Pat's egocentricity to some extent kept back secret police (7) GESTAPO [T<=]

2   Disallow stands in camps (8) BARRACKS {BAR}{RACKS} Camp would be more of a temporary nature unlike Barracks

3   Close to retirement, mean master escaped monotony (6) TEDIUM {r...nT}{mEDIUM}

4   Cop and Private Investigator with new fix for locks (5,3) BOBBY PIN {BOBBY}{PI}{N}

5   Desperate wives beginning to love swinging around (6) SWIVEL {WIVES}*{Love} Swing or Swinging?

6   Can this impunity hurt Modern Cafe? (7) FREEDOM {FREEDOM+CAN}*=MODERN CAFE [CA]

8   UFOs scare us? (6,7) FLYING SAUCERS {SCARE+US}* [RA]

14 Dilettantes Raman, Stew & Bursa scratching heads and bottoms (8) AMATEURS {rAMAn}{sTEw}{bURSa}

15 Tall model unpaid without embarrassment and remorse at first (8) TOWERING {T}{OW{Em...t}{Re...e}ING}

16 Invalid is not complaining (7) PATIENT [DD]

17 Tumbler acknowledging king's wave (7) ?R?A?E?  (Addendum - BREAKER {B{R}EAKER} - See comments)  

19 Insult criminal now and repudiate (6) DISOWN {DIS}{NOW*}

21 Take in drink for starters - throw-up in party, perhaps losing equilibrium (6) TIPPLE Acrostic

Reference List

Trendy = IN, Master = M, Private Investigator = PI, New = N, Model = T, King = R, Insult = DIS

No 14802, Monday 25 May 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 1A 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   Just qualify brave Joseph from time to time (6) ?F?E?H (Addendum - AFRESH {quAliFy+bRavE+joSepH} - See comments)

5   Millions notice conduit around Universal Psychopathic Hospital (8) MADHOUSE {M}{AD}{HO{U}SE}

9   Is this state of stupor possibly a crisis, son? (8) NARCOSIS {NARCOSIS+IS}*=A CRISIS SON [CA]

10 Bird panting briefly (6) PUFFIN PUFFINg

11 Can pet when repeatedly used find recognition? (10) ACCEPTANCE {CAN+PET}* [Letter Bank]

12 Work is restricted by that man's ambition (4) HOPE {H{OP}E}

13 Forcefully edited story about Naira, (girl on vacation) (8) STRONGLY {STORY}* over {N}{GirL}

16 Observed criminal is deep (6) ESPIED*

17 From the beginning government rejected allotment to independent suppliers for free (6) GRATIS Acrostic

19 Rowdy sipping hot tea, say and beginning to spout opinions (8) THOUGHTS {T{H}OUGH}{(~tea)T}{Sp..t}

21 Leader in Myanmar (as televised) backtracking (4) TSAR [T<=]

22 Indiscriminately eat mince pie endlessly in frustration (10) IMPATIENCE  {EAT+MINCE+PIe}*

25 Fraud alert when time is right (3,3) RIP OFF (-t+r)RIP OFF

26 Impractical Fellow (8) ACADEMIC [DD]

27 Encounters meekest lions (Gasp!) every now and then (8) MEETINGS {MeEkEsT+lIoNs+GaSp}

28 Torn piece hanging loose from post at terminal (6) TATTER [T]

DOWN

2   Currency is unrestricted as per auditor (5) FRANC (~frank)

3   Pixie Dust's upset with extremely contemptible European host (5) EMCEE {ME<=}{Co...lE}{E}

4   #Henry's terribly aghast! (7) HASHTAG {H}{AGHAST*} 

5   Queen of England getting hold of boy's handiwork (7) MASONRY {MA{SON}RY}

6   Bankrupt? Cancel entertaining Penny (7) DEPLETE {DE{P}LETE}

7   Ready-made for one who has stopped drinking? (3-3-3) OFF-THE-PEG [DD]

8   Most inadequate, I kiss temp awkwardly (9) SKIMPIEST*

14 Trust Neil building a mechanical gate (9) TURNSTILE*

15 Hardy cycling around more haphazardly, furthest from the center (9) OUTERMOST {(-st)OUT(+st)ST} over {MORE}*

18 Small argument and workers lost head in set (7) STIFFEN {S}{TIFF}{mEN}

19 Spooner says, " Skip tasteless articles for formal headwear!" (3,4) TOP HATS (~hop tats to top hats)

20 Banished cats? (7) OUTCAST {CATS}* [RA]

23 Deny right away and deport (5) EJECT rEJECT

24 Crossing borders of America illegally is felony (5) CRIME aMERICa* Semi&lit

Reference List

Millions = M, Notice = AD, Universal = U, Naira = N, Hot = H, Time = T, Right = R, European = E, Henry = H, Penny = P, Small = S

No 14773, Tuesday 21 Apr 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 19D 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   Old cake chewed several times in a nursery rhyme! (4-1-6-3) COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO {OLD+CAKE}* [Letter Bank]

Cock a doodle doo!
My dame has lost her shoe,
My master's lost his fiddling stick
And knows not what to do.

10 Phantom and beloved leader of Freljord cycling (5) UMBRA (-bra)UM(+bra)BRA

11 Warrant for a soldier's slogan? (6,3) BATTLE CRY [C&DD] 

12 It's absurd, cheat is stealing Knight's tape (5-2) STICK ON {ITS*}{C{K}ON}

13 Oafs fly? Suspect dismissals (7) LAYOFFS*

14 An adult insect's study of mind (5) IMAGO [DD]

16 Poor wife is hot and sickly (9) UNHEALTHY UN(-w+h)HEALTHY

19 Cryptically could I set something most murky? (9) CLOUDIEST*

20 Brand mounted without hype in the end (5) SCALD SCALeD

22 Yes! Sen ceased to smuggle substance (7) ESSENCE [T]

25 Love poem with English guide (7) OVERSEE {O}{VERSE}{E}

27 Mariner (colony resident) uncomfortable at first with return of a large spider (9) TARANTULA {TAR}{ANT}{Un...e} and {A}{L}<={

28 Contesting extremely vapoury gin cocktail (5) VYING {Va...rY}{GIN*}

29 Pi loves sex and dangerous stuff? (4,10) HIGH EXPLOSIVES {PI+LOVES+SEX}* [RA]

DOWN

2   Old boy Harry got bail and sponsorship (9) OBBLIGATO {O}{B}{GOT+BAIL}*

3   From the beginning King never appreciated Chief Kattappa's talent (5) KNACK Acrostic 

4   Bond's drone we hear is in the grips of an implant (9) DEBENTURE {DE{(~bee)BE}NTURE}

5   Outcast weasel regularly ignored characters in a number system (5) OCTAL {OutCasT+weAseL}

6   Spooner expresses surprise and lingers in lounges! (9) LOLLYGAGS (golly lags to lollygags)

7   In recess resisted beverage (5) DECAF<=

8   Heard about Indian Classical Dance's epic journey (7) ODYSSEY (~odissi)

9   Naughty smile describing basically unpalatable food (6) MUESLI {M{Un...e}SLI*}

15 Fiat, Quebec Nani drove essentially in reverse (9) ORDINANCE [T<=]

17 Controversial party game? (3,6) HOT POTATO [DD] 

18 Camouflaged terrapins come to light (9) TRANSPIRE*

19 Caught a shark, a zooming beast (7) C?E?T?H (Addendum - CHEETAH (~cheater) - See comments)

21 Discover medical practitioner on line (6) DREDGE {DR}{EDGE}

23 Superb! Iago appearing in every other shoot (5) SPRIG {SuPeRb+IaGo}

24 Prepare one-liner supporting establishment at first (5) EQUIP {QUIP}<=>{Es...t}

26 To some extent clergymen voice author's concluding words (5) ENVOI [T]

Reference List

Knight = K, Wife = W, Hot = H, English = E, Large = L, Old = O, Boy = B

No 14772, Monday 20 Apr 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 6D 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

7   Bill while cycling takes in extremely coquettish style of dancing (6) TECHNO {(-no)TE(+n)NO} over {Co...sH}

8   On and off friend's watching volatile jamboree (8) FESTIVAL {FriEndS+waTchIng+VolAtiLe}

9   Complacent auditor conceals part of a bloomer (8) PLACENTA [T]

10 Oral consent to rise (6) ASCENT (~assent)

11 Send journalist back with second reinforcement (8) DESPATCH {ED<=}{S}{PATCH}

12 Stupid and pointless without basic strategy (6) INSANE {IN{St...y}ANE}

13 A pet's craft requirement (7,4) MASKING TAPE {A+PET}* [RA]

18 Rebuffed, some shoot at opinionated Murphy (6) POTATO [T<=]

20 Climax surrounding essentially stunning party for the soon-to- be union member (3,5) HEN NIGHT {HE{stuNNing}IGHT}

22 Challenge accountant raising fee (6) ACCOST {CA<=}{COST}

23 Bananas ripen over and over again to get this pungent compound (8) PIPERINE* Letterbank

24 Watched one going crazy about poetry (8) OVERSEEN {O{VERSE}EN*}

25 Reddish-yellow stain covers corner (6) RUSSET {RUS{SE}T

DOWN

1   Firmly established like a frog? (4-3) WELL-SET [DD]

2   Legume croquettes, halibut in curried kimchi, pineapple enchiladas & avocado for starters (8) CHICKPEA Acrostic

3   Is this composition creating tensions? (6) SONNET [CA] {SONNET+IS}* = TENSIONS

4   Surprisingly it's easy to film Spain's top writer (8) ESSAYIST {ITS+EASY}* over {Sp..n}

5   Tailless sick cur exploited! Is it fair? (6) CIRCUS {SICk+CUR}*

6   Notice fly hovering around a nurse (7) ?A?N?N? (Addendum - WARNING {W{A}{RN}ING} - See comments)

8   Spooner's gurgling in the cooler is short- lived? (5,2,3,3) FLASH IN THE PAN (plash in the fan to flash in the pan)

14 Barking kitten or is it more complicated? (8) KNOTTIER* What's the role of 'is it'?

15 Every often Port Izmir toasted this yellow flower (8) PRIMROSE {PoRt+IzMiR+tOaStEd}

16 Depressed libertarian leader is expelled from congress (7) CONCAVE CONClAVE

17 Clap to a large extent with understanding (7) THUNDER [T]

19 In a foreign land, rook moves behind on a ship (6) ABOARD AB(-r)OA(+r)RD

21 New copy line for household linen (6) NAPERY {N}{APE}{RY}

Reference List

Journalist = ED, Second = S, Corner = SE(South East), Nurse = RN(Registered Nurse), Rook = R, New = N, Copy = APE, Line = RY(Railway)

No 14744, Wednesday 18 Mar 2026, Pixie Dust

Solution to 6D 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   Salt & ice repeatedly consumed... It's divine? (14) ECCLESIASTICAL* Letter Bank

10 Finally Emma, Theo & Roger sight a large vessel (5) AORTA Tail acrostic

11 Spooner's model kin in protective covering (9) NOSEPIECE (~pose niece to nosepiece)

12 Fine in a US state and city (7) OKINAWA {OK}{IN}{A}{WA}

13 Old lady tires out masters (7) MAESTRI {MA}{TIRES*}

14 Curb mob hastily in possession of recalled weapon (1-4) H-BOMB [T<=]

16 Introduce entropies animatedly (9) INTERPOSE*

19 Two young women court lecturer in thermal material (5,4) GLASS WOOL {G}{LASS}{WOO}{L}

20 To some extent glad it's revolutionary and related to current events? (5) TIDAL [T<=]

22 About the endless conflict with Tesla? Awry! (7) ATHWART {A}{THe}{WAR}{T}

25 Exhausted chap Miles, with chapped dirty tumbler (7) GYMNAST {GuY}{M}{NASTy}

27 An "Oval VIP" broadcast referring to the work of a psychologist (9) PAVLOVIAN*

28 As per rumours Miss is unattached (5) LOOSE (~lose) 

29 Does this entitlement programme somehow ease Clod's curiosity? (6,8) SOCIAL SECURITY {SOCIAL+SECURITY+DOES}* = {EASE CLODS CURIOSITY}

DOWN

2   Movies (not English) about Ohio supporting automobile growth (9) CARCINOMA {CINeMA} over {O} under {CAR}

3   Beast and spiritual leader in conversation (5) LLAMA (~lama)

4   Bewildered oarsman in country (3,6) SAN MARINO*

5   Mob cycling around a state in the east (5) ASSAM (-m}ASS(+m) over {A}

6   What a toupee protects is off the record! (3-6) T?P-?E?R?T  (Addendum - TOP-SECRET [C&DD] - See comments)

7   Comb caught by others (5) CREST {C}{REST}

8   General we hear, fixed a dangerous marine condition (3,4) LEE TIDE {LEE}{(~tied)TIDE}

9   Boot from every third magical elmwood? Sigh! (6) GALOSH {maGicAl+eLmwOod+SigH}

15 Supervisor with a heavenly body in a Brazilian dance (5,4) BOSSA NOVA {BOSS}{A}{NOVA}

17 Emerging adult assumes stage is created basically for one well suited to be on screen (9) TELEGENIC {TE{LEG}EN}{Is}{Cr...d}

18 Radical amount? (3,3,3) ODD MAN OUT {AMOUNT}* [RA]

19 Reprimand visiting grand parents for alcoholic drinks (7) GRAPPAS {G}{RAP}{PAS}

21 Panic inside flat he renovated (6) LATHER [T]

23 Leaders having a vacation over Christmas in confusion (5) HAVOC Acrostic

24 Rides in slips (5) TRIPS [DD]

26 Grinder just switched sides (5) MOLAR MO(+l-r)LA(-l+r)R

Reference List

Young woman = G,LASS< Lecturer = L, Tesla = T, Miles = M, English = E, Caught = C, Grand = G