Trafites: Notched up a level this week we feel. Is 25ac a new higher level clue type introduced to Everyman? Again a nice crossword to solve. Thank you Everyman.
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Legend to solution comments:
* = anagram.
< = word reversed.
dd = double definition
cd = cryptic definition
hd = hidden
| Across | |||
| 1. | Perplexed, raised issue about eastern dramatist (10) | ||
| BEWILDERED | BRED around (E+[oscar]WILDE) | ||
| 6. |
Stage favourites brought back (4) | ||
| STEP | (PETS)< | ||
| 9. |
Dog following kind print worker (10) | ||
| TYPESETTER | SETTER after TYPE | ||
| 10. |
Ring after European snubbed in game (4) | ||
| POLO | O after POL | ||
| 12. |
Where H may be freely available (2,3) | ||
| ON TAP | cd: H(ot) and C(old) are found on taps | ||
| 13. |
Complicated procedure to get millions invested in capital function (9) | ||
| RIGMAROLE | (M in RIGA)+ROLE | ||
| 14. |
Come out with a mild exclamation of surprise (6,1,5) | ||
| STRIKE A LIGHT | STRIKE(come out)+A+LIGHT(mild) | ||
| 18. |
Freedom to act for actress leaving on the wagon? That’s about right (5,7) | ||
| CARTE BLANCHE | R in the actress CATE BLANCHE[TT] (TT=on the wagon) | ||
| 21. |
A royal has to name an Ivy League university (9) | ||
| PRINCETON | PRINCE+TO+N | ||
| 23. |
French composer posed with one close to stage (5) | ||
| SATIE | SAT+I+(stag)E | ||
| 24. |
Least likely to continue (4) | ||
| LAST | dd | ||
| 25. |
One way shopper could get you a tiny jumper? (4,6) | ||
| SAND HOPPER | cryptic reading; look at the letters of shopper, you have S and HOPPER! An AZEDian type clue – new to Everyman? |
||
| 26. |
Swear word used during set-to at home (4) | ||
| OATH | hd: set-tO AT Home | ||
| 27. |
These areas, redeveloped, can bring peace of mind (6-4) | ||
| HEARTS EASE | (THESE AREAS)* | ||
| Down | |||
| 1. | Weaver’s influence (6) | ||
| BOTTOM | dd: Collins defines BOTTOM as influence, but Chambers doesn’t! | ||
| 2. |
Animal with one crossing a quarry (6) | ||
| WAPITI | W(ith)+I around (A PIT) | ||
| 3. |
Miss card game and become exasperated (4,8) | ||
| LOSE PATIENCE | LOSE+PATIENCE | ||
| 4. |
Go in to register (5) | ||
| ENTER | dd | ||
| 5. |
Myrtle, for example, always gullible (9) | ||
| EVERGREEN | pun on EVER GREEN | ||
| 7. |
Complete, from beginning to end, hiding nothing (8) | ||
| THOROUGH | O in THROUGH | ||
| 8. |
Characteristic of conventional type? Not half! (8) | ||
| PROPERTY | PROPER+TY(pe) | ||
| 11. |
A film director should say what is to happen (4,3,5) | ||
| CALL THE SHOTS | cd | ||
| 15. |
Uncomfortable, a guy after trouble (3,2,4) | ||
| ILL AT EASE | A TEASE(guy) after ILL | ||
| 16. |
Fizzy cola – a cup drunk in Mexican resort (8) | ||
| ACAPULCO | (COLA A CUP)* | ||
| 17. |
What comprises coaches on piece of track attached to rear of locomotive? (5,3) | ||
| TRAIN SET | TRAINS+(locomotiv)E+T(rack) &lit | ||
| 19. |
More would have us believe this is the perfect place (6) | ||
| UTOPIA | cd: ref: book by Sir Thomas More | ||
| 20. |
Tries English vehicle (6) | ||
| HEARSE | HEARS+E | ||
| 22. |
Lowest point? A depth in Northern Ireland (5) | ||
| NADIR | (A+D(epth)) in N(orthern)+IR | ||
Thank you both. There were a couple of tougher clues here, you’re right. I got SAND HOPPER without understanding why, so thanks for the explanation. I wasn’t keen on BOTTOM (that definition isn’t in my SOED either) but I liked Everyman’s spot of the CATE BLANCHETT/CARTE BLANCHE resemblance. TRAIN SET was clever too.
Yes, tougher than average. Good training for The Times maybe?
There were a couple I couldn’t understand. I’m out of touch with the film industry so, though I’ve heard of Ms Blanchett, she didn’t come to mind; and I failed to see the parsing of 25ac. – brilliant!
Also, I got 1d. wrong, but after the MSND references this week, I put it straight in after checking.
I enjoyed the puzzle, and thanks, Trafites, for slearing up my doubts.
Thanks , Everyman.
I meant ‘clearing up’ 🙂