Another beautifully crafted entry-level puzzle from Everyman and an illustration of the reason why I always recommend him to any mates who want to get into cryptics. Clear cluing, no obscurities, and enough stuff to keep the improving solver interested as well.
Abbreviations
cd cryptic definition
dd double definition
cad clue as definition
(xxxx)* anagram
anagrind = anagram indicator
[x] letter(s) missing
definitions are underlined
Across
1 Baffled to be dismissed
STUMPED
A dd, the second of which refers to one of the ten ways to get out in cricket.
5 Be back in charge, giving discount
REBATE
An insertion of BE reversed in RATE.
9 Nothing after seconds covered with favourite sauce
PESTO
An insertion of S in PET followed by O.
10 Disagree without hesitation with one religious group, being tough
DIFFICULT
A charade of DIFF[ER], I and CULT.
11 Regret restricting equal income
REVENUE
An insertion of EVEN in RUE.
12 English company led by composer, not a painter
EL GRECO
A charade of ELG[A]R, E and CO.
13 Creative technique from sad broadcaster with insubstantial piece
BLUE-SKY THINKING
A charade of BLUE for ‘sad’, SKY for the ‘broadcaster’ and THIN KING. The ‘piece’ is referring to a chess piece.
15 Variety of hybrid barley got for an unfair price
DAYLIGHT ROBBERY
(HYBRID BARLEY GOT)*
18 Final gathering for dancing and sport
NETBALL
A charade of NET in its financial sense and BALL.
20 Style with attraction turning erratic
WAYWARD
A charade of WAY and DRAW reversed.
22 Develop garden’s front end, having time off
GERMINATE
A charade of G for the first letter of ‘garden’ and [T]ERMINATE.
23 Table, aluminium object? Get away
ALTAR
A charade of AL and TAR[GET].
24 Herb in north-east between marsh and lake
FENNEL
An insertion of NE in FEN and L.
25 Vague, not confident about conclusion of work and so on
SKETCHY
An insertion of K for the last letter of ‘work’ and ETC in SHY.
Down
1 Ahead in series, not half great
SUPER
An insertion of UP in SER[IES].
2 Disagreeable, being shattered as you’ve run short of energy
UNSAVOURY
(AS YOUV[E] RUN)*
3 Expert with good idea receiving endless criticism over a forecast
PROGNOSTICATION
A charade of PRO, G and STIC[K] and A inserted into NOTION and a typical Everyman multi-part clue.
4 Stranger getting into yard, climbing, not steady
DODDERY
An insertion of ODDER in YD reversed (‘climbing’, since it’s a down clue).
5 Arbiter with regard to quiet update
REFRESH
A charade of REF, RE and SH.
6 Begin an absurdly chaotic charity event
BRING-AND-BUY SALE
(BEGIN AN ABSURDLY)*
7 Greek character exercises in shade
TAUPE
A charade of TAU and PE. The word/colour comes from the French word for ‘mole’ (the snouty animal, not the skin growth).
8 Unjustly, first off, going after saint forcefully
STRONGLY
A charade of ST and [W]RONGLY.
13 Poor batting, then time for banter
BADINAGE
More French. A charade of BAD, IN for ‘batting’ in cricket, and AGE.
14 Silly line on wine, cold and unyielding
INELASTIC
A charade of (LINE)* ASTI and C.
16 Bag in room containing antique
HOLDALL
An insertion of OLD in HALL.
17 Inexperience shown by muddled answers
RAWNESS
(ANSWERS)*
19 Number worth re-examining to some extent
THREE
Hidden in worTH REE-examining.
21 Unknown quantity produced upset in horse race
DERBY
A reversal of Y for the mathematical ‘unknown’ and BRED. ‘Upset’ works because it’s a down clue.
Many thanks to Everyman as always for this morning’s puzzle.
Thank you Everyman and Pierre.
An enjoyable crossword, but no birds. BLUE-SKY THINKING was new to me, but gettable from the clue. I failed to fully parse NETBALL, and still question dancing = BALL though I admit “final gathering for ball” seems to make sense.
Yep, as per the above. Nothing too difficult, still thoroughly entertaining, a good start to any Sunday.
I agree, Pierre. Doubt if you will get much comment today (always a dangerous prediction though) as seemed reasonably plain sailing.
I enjoyed this too. Never heard of blue sky thinking before but got it from the clues. My favourites were the simple clues that l could easily work out like sketchy, stumped and strongly.
Failed to parse 23ac & 25ac and never heard of BANDINAGE (LOI) so a bit harder than usual for me, though trying to complete it during the rugby is never a good idea.
Could not parse 1 down (“super”) although I was sure it had to be right. I am puzzled by people not having heard of “blue-sky thinking” — this is a very common phrase in research and development and in business.
I struggled with many of the clues (e.g. 23 across, “altar”) and then did a delighted forehead slap when i finally got them.
Blue sky thinking was LOI. Wasn’t overly happy with taupe = shade but got it nonetheless.
Can someone tell me why every man is considered an easy crossword? I’ve been doing other Guardian crosswords and I don’t think they’re that much more difficult than the Everyman. Naturally every setter has his or her own style and that does take some getting used to.