Another medium strength puzzle for Bank Holiday Monday, but a bit more enjoyable than Boxing Day’s effort. One good thing about having several riddly clues in the line-up is that they (sometimes) don’t take long to decode, or to write up!
As ever you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful. You can also find past solutions on my Just For Fun page, should a recent one have given you bother. Meanwhile there’s a bunch of book reviews and a story of mine.
Till next time, keep safe, mask up and keep supporting the NHS and key workers everywhere. And, if you are able to amid all that, have a Happy New Year!
LP
Across clues
- Barrel old US actress tipped over, its contents yellow (4,3)
Answer: YOLK SAC (i.e. “its contents yellow”). Solution is CASK (i.e. “barrel”) and Myrna LOY (i.e. “old US actress”) all reversed (indicated by “tipped over”), like so: YOL-KSAC.
- Framing judge, one is corrupt – that is shameful (9)
Answer: BAREFACED (i.e. “shameful”). Solution is REF (i.e. “judge”) and ACE (i.e. “one”) both placed in or “framed” by BAD (i.e. “corrupt”), like so: BA(REF-ACE)D.
- Bay tree’s part (4)
Answer: BARK. Solution satisfies “bay”, as in a mob baying for blood, and “tree’s part”.
- Hollywood’s production that’s moving? (6,7)
Answer: MOTION PICTURE. Clue plays on “moving” to mean in MOTION, as well as stirring emotions. You get the idea.
- Vandalising oil rig, mob makes mess (9)
Answer: IMBROGLIO (i.e. “mess”). “Vandalising” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of OIL RIG MOB.
- Resigned, he had to box with southpaw (4-6)
Answer: LEFT-HANDER (i.e. “southpaw”). Solution is LEFT (i.e. “resigned”) followed by HE’D (a contraction of “he had”) once wrapped around or “boxing” AND (i.e. “with”), like so: LEFT-H(AND)E’D.
- Reviewing the situation, rustling cattle? (6,5)
Answer: TAKING STOCK. Solution satisfies “reviewing the situation” and “rustling cattle”.
- Lecture screen behind head in classroom (5)
Answer: CHIDE (i.e. to scold or “lecture”). Solution is HIDE (i.e. to “screen”) placed after or “behind” C (i.e. “head in classroom”, i.e. the first letter of “classroom”), like so: C-HIDE.
- Puff of smoke dashing motorsport (4,6)
Answer: DRAG RACING (i.e. “motorsport”). Solution is DRAG (i.e. “puff of [cigarette] smoke”) followed by RACING (i.e. “dashing”).
- Workshop so terribly untidy, disorder is offensive initially (6)
Answer: STUDIO (i.e. “workshop”). “Initially” indicates the solution is derived from the first letters of So Terribly Untidy, Disorder Is Offensive.
- Getting on on a grand scale? That’s manipulation (9)
Answer: MASSAGING (i.e. “manipulation”). When read as MASS AGING the solution also satisfies “getting on on a grand scale”.
- Copper’s open certain bottles (5)
Answer: PENCE (i.e. “coppers”). “Bottles” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: O(PEN CE)RTAIN.
- Entering club, champagne primarily on order for Greek character (7)
Answer: OMICRON (i.e. “Greek character”, specifically the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet). Solution is C (i.e. “champagne primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “champagne”) placed in or “entering” IRON (i.e. a golf “club”). The whole is then placed “on” or after OM (i.e. “order”, specifically the Order of Merit), like so: OM-I(C)RON.
- Sporting club needing tutelage if hammered, fighting repercussions? (6,7)
Answer: BATTLE FATIGUE (i.e. “fighting repercussions”). Solution is BAT (i.e. “sporting club”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “hammered”) of TUTELAGE IF, like so: BAT-TLEFATIGUE.
- Inside tackling the enemy? (5,4)
Answer: DOING TIME (i.e. “inside” – both referring to prison terms). Solution is DOING (i.e. “tackling”) followed by TIME (i.e. “enemy”, after the phrase “time is the enemy” – we’ve seen this a few times now in these things).
- Forced training on a red dog (9)
Answer: DRAGOONED (i.e. “forced”). “Training” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ON A RED DOG.
- Current panic frequently requiring courage (5-2-3-3)
Answer: STATE-OF-THE-ART (i.e. “current”). Solution is PANIC (i.e. “state” – one definition is having “a perturbed condition of mind” (Chambers), but I’d argue it’s a stretch to equate this to “panic”) followed by OFT (i.e. “frequently”) and HEART (i.e. “courage”).
- Brush back (7)
Answer: SWEEPER. Solution satisfies “brush” and “back”, referring to a player’s position in a game of football.
- Two females securing a bundle (5)
Answer: SHEAF (i.e. “bundle”). Solution is SHE and F (i.e. “two females”, the latter a recognised abbreviation of “female”) wrapped around or “securing” A, like so: SHE-(A)-F.
- Tornado perhaps, spinning hole in a way (9)
Answer: AEROPLANE (i.e. “Tornado, perhaps” – other aeroplanes are available). Solution is PORE (i.e. “hole”) reversed (indicated by “spinning”) and placed “in” A LANE (i.e. “a way”), like so: A-(EROP)-LANE.
- Become more sympathetic, maybe, or arrogant (6)
Answer: UPPITY (i.e. “arrogant”). When read as UP PITY the solution also satisfies “become more sympathetic, maybe”.
- It’s very hairy stirring arsenic into some butter (7,3)
Answer: PERSIAN CAT (i.e. “it’s very hairy”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “stirring”) of ARSENIC placed “into” PAT (i.e. “some butter”), like so: P(ERSIANC)AT.
- Unnatural lake beyond measure, ultimately (5)
Answer: EERIE (i.e. “unnatural”). Solution is ERIE (one of the Great “Lakes” in North America) placed after or “beyond” E (i.e. “measure ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “ultimately”), like so: E-ERIE.
- A fruit into which bloke injected poison (5,6)
Answer: AGENT ORANGE (i.e. “poison”). Solution is A and ORANGE (i.e. “fruit”) “into which” is “injected” GENT (i.e. “bloke”), like so: A-(GENT)-ORANGE.
- Possible description of broken record too good for batsmen? (10)
Answer: UNPLAYABLE. Solution satisfies “possible description of broken record” and a delivery that is “too good for batsmen”.
- Establish controversial doctrine about university (9)
Answer: INTRODUCE (i.e. “establish”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “controversial”) of DOCTRINE wrapped “about” U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”), like so: INTROD(U)CE.
- How to get thousand, perhaps, for a number in the sixties (5,3,5)
Answer: TWIST AND SHOUT (i.e. “number in the sixties” by The Beatles). “How to get a thousand, perhaps” plays on how the solution is a cryptic clue in itself when written as TWIST ‘ANDSHOUT’, i.e. an anagram of “thousand”. Nicely done.
- Polish base for white castle? (4)
Answer: HONE (i.e. “polish”). When written as H ONE the solution also satisfies “base for white castle”, referring to the initial position of the white castle piece on a chess board, i.e. H1. Sneaky!
- Garden set to go to seed in residence elsewhere? (9)
Answer: ESTRANGED (i.e. “in residence elsewhere”). “To go to seed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of GARDEN SET.
- Having steered past it, reversal of plague made possible (7)
Answer: ENABLED (i.e. “made possible”). Solution is BANE (i.e. “plague”) “reversed” and with LED (i.e. “steered”) placed after or “past it”, like so: ENAB-LED.
Down clues
- All ultimately easy, so warm up for difficult trek (4)
Answer: YOMP (i.e. “difficult trek”). “All ultimately” indicates the solution is found in the last letters of easY sO warM uP.
- Take a chance on those stories about Tarka, say? (9)
Answer: LOTTERIES (i.e. “take a chance on those”). Solution is LIES (i.e. “stories”) wrapped “about” OTTER (i.e. “Tarka”), like so: L(OTTER)IES.
- Soccer game – penalty shoot-out? (4,3,4,11)
Answer: SPOT THE BALL COMPETITION. Solution satisfies “soccer game” in some newspapers where readers are invited to mark where the ball has been removed from a still from a recent footie match, and “penalty shoot-out”, playing on how the ball is placed on the penalty SPOT. Nicely done.
- Idea entertained by bogus composer (7)
Answer: Aaron COPLAND (i.e. “composer”). Solution is PLAN (i.e. “idea”) placed in or “entertained by” COD (i.e. “bogus”), like so: CO(PLAN)D.
- Withdrawal of current support by man on board (11)
Answer: BACKDRAUGHT (i.e. “withdrawal of current”). Solution is BACK (i.e. “support”) followed by DRAUGHT (i.e. playing piece or “man on board”).
- Stumble after a few drinks: ultimately it gets us nowhere! (5,4)
Answer: ROUND TRIP (i.e. “ultimately it gets us nowhere!”). Solution is TRIP (i.e. “stumble”) placed “after” ROUND (i.e. “a few drinks”).
- Flying boats (5)
Answer: FLEET. Solution satisfies rather quick or “flying”, and a bunch of “boats”.
- Very little change in Orpington fare? (7,4)
Answer: CHICKEN FEED (i.e. “very little change”). Solution is CHICKEN (one breed of which being “Orpington”) followed by FEED (i.e. “fare”).
- First-timer with sole fillet (6)
Answer: DEBONE (i.e. to “fillet”). Solution is DEB (i.e. “first-timer”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “debutante”) followed by ONE (i.e. “sole”).
- Each considered narration finished then? (3,4)
Answer: ALL TOLD. Solution satisfies “each considered” and “narration done”.
- Affordable place in Mayo, Irish county (9)
Answer: KNOCKDOWN (i.e. “affordable”). Solution is KNOCK, a village in County “Mayo”, followed by DOWN (i.e. “Irish county”).
- Don’t worry, the army’s safer than the navy? (5,6,6,2,3)
Answer: WORSE THINGS HAPPEN AT SEA (i.e. “don’t worry”). You get the idea. Has anyone ever been comforted by these words?!
- Scout’s need affected plot (4,3)
Answer: CAMP BED (i.e. “scout’s need”). Solution is CAMP (i.e. “affected”) followed by BED (i.e. garden “plot”).
- Measure of brightness is able to melt lead (7)
Answer: CANDELA (i.e. “measure of brightness”). Solution is CAN (i.e. “is able to”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “melt”) of LEAD, like so: CAN-DELA.
- Wonderful – as is martyr’s cause? (2,3,3)
Answer: TO DIE FOR. Solution satisfies “wonderful” and “martyr’s cause”.
- Fighters batting, cool test (8)
Answer: INFANTRY (i.e. “fighters”). Solution is IN (i.e. “batting”) followed by FAN (i.e. to “cool”) and TRY (i.e. “test”).
- Eaten up by Gujarati, a rice dish from India (5)
Answer: RAITA (i.e. “dish from India”). “Eaten…by” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “up” indicates the solution has been reversed – this being a down clue – like so: GUJAR(ATI A R)ICE.
- Suggestion people should be under arrest, finally (5)
Answer: TRACE (i.e. “suggestion”). Solution is RACE (i.e. “people”) placed after or “under” – this being a down clue – T (i.e. “arrest, finally”, i.e. the last letter of “arrest”), like so: T-RACE.
- Leader of girl guides, well, well, well? (7)
Answer: GUSHERS (i.e. “well, well, well” – basically a plural of “well”). Solution is G (i.e. “leader of girl”, i.e. the first letter of “girl”) followed by USHERS (i.e. “guides”).
- Very high mass in timber, might you say? (7)
Answer: EXTREME (i.e. “very high”). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “mass”) placed “in” EX-TREE (i.e. “timber, might you say”), like so: EX-TRE(M)E.
- Perception in recent minds, flawed (11)
Answer: DISCERNMENT (i.e. “perception”). “Flawed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RECENT MINDS.
- Free image coming up, spread around (11)
Answer: EMANCIPATED (i.e. description of someone now “free”). Solution is PIC (i.e. “image”) reversed (indicated by “coming up” – this being a down clue) and placed in or having “around” EMANATED (i.e. “spread”), like so: EMAN(CIP)ATED.
- Native American shelters beginning to evaporate, slightly nauseous (9)
Answer: SQUEAMISH (i.e. “slightly nauseous”). Solution is SQUAMISH (i.e. “Native American”) wrapped around or “sheltering” E (i.e. “beginning [letter] to evaporate”), like so: SQU(E)AMISH.
- With no love for foe, a cracking war hero? (9)
Answer: FEATURING (i.e. “with”). Solution is FE (i.e. “no love for foe”, i.e. the word “foe” with the O removed – O being “love”, a zero score in tennis) followed by A and Alan TURING (i.e. code “cracking war hero”).
- Someone had dessert in spring? (5,4)
Answer: APRIL FOOL. Solution satisfies “someone had (…in spring)” and “dessert in spring”, APRIL being slap bang in the middle of “spring” and a FOOL being a fruity “dessert”.
- Fast descending on N Lancs town (7)
Answer: PRESTON (i.e. “Lancs town”). Solution is PRESTO (i.e. “fast” in musical lingo) followed by or “descending on” – this being a down clue – N.
- Retain wayward English student (7)
Answer: TRAINEE (i.e. “student”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wayward”) of RETAIN followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: TRAINE-E.
- Carp or meat? (6)
Answer: GROUSE. Solution satisfies to “carp”, and “meat”.
- Yesterday’s odds dropped before bagging ten more (5)
Answer: EXTRA (i.e. “more”). Solution is ETRA (i.e. “yesterday’s odds dropped”, i.e. every other letter of YESTERDAY) wrapped around or “bagging” X (i.e. “[Roman numeral] ten”), like so: E(X)TRA.
- Last to leave office: boss (4)
Answer: STUD (i.e. “boss”). Solution is STUDY (i.e. “office”) with the “last” letter removed or “leaving”.
Lucian Poll's Web Ramblings 
I enjoyed today’s offering & though it was quite easily navigated there were some good clues. My favourites were 53a Twist and Shout, as we got two clues in one and 39d as I love it when there is a word that seems at first insignificant (with) which here is anything but. I also liked cracking war hero for Turing.
Cheers and thanks for all your posts in 2020. Roll on 2021.
Thanks, Chris, and agreed all round. I also liked 54a. I knew it was going to be a chess thing, but it took a while for me to twig. All the best! – LP
Thanks. I enjoyed that one and thought lots of good clue-ing…
…although I was rolling my eyes at 5D backdraught (a draught piece isn’t a *man* on a board – unlike many chess pieces – surely?) and groaning at 32D extreme (timber = ex tree!)
Cheers
Yeah, I did rather like EX-TREE! Re: DRAUGHT, Chambers bails the setter on this occasion with one of its definitions for “man”, being “a piece used in playing chess, draughts etc”. All the best for 2021! – LP