Sunday Toughie No 118 by proXimal
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 28th of April 2024
Across
1a Spooner’s polite request to sing for tropical forest native (6,5)
CHEESE PLANT: A polite request to sing like a Gregorian monk PLEASE CHANT, becomes a species of tropical fauna whose leaves resemble a dairy product CHEESE PLANT
7a Almost complete relief to hold onto old vehicle (7)
CHARIOT: Almost all of the relief from almsgiving CHARIT(Y), around O for old
8a Those desirous when king’s brought forward splendours (7)
LUSTRES: Those who desire avariciously LUSTERS, bring forward the abbreviated Latin King R for Rex, one spot
10a Right Reverend invested with such power could be ideal guy (5)
MIGHT: We are looking for a synonym of power such that when the abbreviation of a Right Reverend is invested within we get a guy who is the ideal mate or marriage partner MR RIGHT becomes MIGHT
11a Recalled gentle one admitted to disliking rock (9)
HAEMATITE: A reversal (recalled) of gentle TAME becomes EMAT, and the letter that looks like one I, go into a synonym of disliking HATE –HA(EMAT)(I)TE – an iron-bearing rock often with a blood-red colour
12a Heard an opponent coming (7)
ARRIVAL: A homophone of an opponent, A RIVAL becomes ARRIVAL
14a Squealed feeling returned punch (7)
SANGRIA: An informal squealedor ratted SANG, and a reversal of a feeling in the atmosphere AIR becomes RIA, SANGRIA a punch of a similar blood-red hue to Haematite
15a People possessing cool garments (7)
BODICES: Originally military slang for persons or people BODS, contains to cool with frozen water ICE
18a Having bands start to practise in cleared-out shed (7)
STRIPED: Cleared out or removed surplus hair from a dog that sheds perhaps STRIPPED, loses the starting letter of practise -P STRIPED or having bands of colour
20a Timely drink after work with a Parisian (9)
OPPORTUNE: Start with some abbreviated work OP, after that a drink often found in 14a PORT, and one of the usual Parisian a’s UNE Timely or OP PORT UNE
21a Dressing chef’s starter course involves (5)
PATCH: A course for pedestrians PATH, contains Chef’s starting letter C a dressing or PATCH
22a Incident from knocking back drams not pleasant (4-3)
SPIN-OFF: A reversal of small drams NIPS becomes SPIN and unpleasant or mouldy OFF
23a Fruit in rank drink reportedly (7)
ROSEHIP: Homophones (reportedly) of a singular rank or file ROW, and a small drink SIP, become a fruit not often encountered past childhood ROSEHIP
24a Brilliant present ordered with loan acquired (11)
RESPLENDENT: An anagram (ordered) of PRESENT acquires a synonym of loan LEND, Brilliant or RESP(LEND)ENT
Down
1d Mount electrical item (7)
CHARGER: A double definition, the mount you ride into battle or the electrical item you need to ensure your devices are powered
2d Top of tree moving down, leaves are found (5)
EXIST: A synonym of leaves EXITS, moves the topmost letter of tree T, down one spot
3d Switching sides, fastens bag (7)
SATCHEL: A synonym of fastens LATCHES, switches its first and last lettersto become a SATCHEL
4d Lager beginning to pour over trays (7)
PALLETS: A brand of Belgian lager STELLA is reversed (over) ALLETS, and follows the beginning of pour (P)ALLETS
5d One declining tricky brainteaser I’m hesitant to ignore (9)
ABSTAINER: An anagram (tricky) of BRAINTEAS(ER) when an interjection for hesitant ER, is ignored. An ABSTAINER declines to vote
6d Waiter tense with porter not opening (7)
TARRIER: A synonym of the porter who bears your loads CARRIER, replaces its opening letter with the abbreviation of tense T. A waiter or TARRIER, who lingers, loiters or delays bringing your order
7d Search at high-street store for military apparel (6,5)
COMBAT BOOTS: To search methodically and thoroughly COMB, AT from the clue and a high-street pharmacy BOOTS, give us some military apparel
9d Management worry over difficulty losing leader (11)
STEWARDSHIP: To be in an informal state of worry or agitation STEW, and a difficulty or (H)ARDSHIP that has lost its leading letter
13d Mean to collect unwrapped part that’s second-hand (9)
VICARIOUS: A synonym of mean VICIOUS, collects what remains of part when unwrapped AR, VIC(AR)IOUS a loose adjective for not experienced personally but imagined second-hand, through the experience of others
16d First person blocking thief is comparatively foolish (7)
DIPPIER: The word used in mentioning oneself I, goes into an informal thief or pick-pocket DIPPER, DIPP(I)ER or the comparative of foolish or dippy
17d Deeply emotive performing fabulously, withdrawing by back of Astoria (7)
SOULFUL: An anagram (performing) of F(A)(B)ULOUSL(Y) but first withdraw by from the clue and the back of Astoria, Deeply emotive or SOULFUL
18d Musician‘s followers endlessly travelled (7)
SHEERAN: A creature that follows meekly without its end SHEEP becomes SHEE, and travelled at speed RAN. Ed SHEERAN is the sort of musician who attracts such blind following
19d Casual criticism of corporation’s passionate (3,4)
POT SHOT: The corporation’s of people who have consumed excessive amounts of Belgian lager, or fortified wines perhaps POT’S, and passionate or aflame HOT. To casually criticise or to take a POT SHOT at
21d Not in step with partners? On the contrary (5)
PASSE: A fine clue to finish that I loved when the penny dropped. A ballet step from French PAS, and two compass points that are not partners (on the contrary) in a game of Bridge perhaps South and East give us SE something PASSE or no longer in or fashionable
That’s all Folks…