Sunday Toughie No 126 by
Zandio
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 23rd of June 2024
Across
1a Conceivably, bathe to make waves (4,3,4)
ROCK THE BOAT: A partial anagram to start where the anagram indicator ROCK, is in the answer rather than the clue, that indicator goes before an anagram of BATHE TO. To make waves or ROCK THE BOAT
7a Highly elated, being over-promoted (5-2)
HYPED UP: A double definition, over-promoted in the sense of excessive publicity or highly elated to an overexcited state
8a Start listing, exit listing (4,3)
REEL OFF: Another double definition, to begin to recite a well-rehearsed list or to exit the stage in a listing or drunken manner
10a Vehicle for cycling girl found in painters’ workshop? (3,5)
ART CLASS: A small vehicle drawn by an animal cycles one letter CART becomes ART C. and precedes a girl LASS, this workshop isn’t the painter’s studio but a forum for teaching students to paint ART CLASS
11a Appropriate publicity before musical show, but no article in the end (6)
PROPER: A musical drama without the indefinite article OPER(A), follows a two-lettered abbreviation for the people who arrange publicity or Public Relations PR
13a Arrange papers to enter borders of Turkey (4)
TIDY: Our usual papers ID, enter between the borders of Turkey T_Y
14a Maverick takes complimentary short (4,6)
FREE SPIRIT: A synonym of complimentary FREE, and a short intoxicating beverage SPIRIT
16a Cheer pilot flying this? (10)
HELICOPTER: An all-in-one &lit anagram (flying) of the first two words in the clue
18a Combo, one occasionally using this? (4)
OBOE: Another all-in-one &lit, A musical instrument as might be used in a classical “group” or combo is hidden occasionally in the first two words of the clue cOmBo OnE
21a Soundalike in speech: fool that has summer berries in it (6)
PUNNET: I don’t need another puzzle to solve post-midnight, but it is a shame the Toughie doesn’t come with its own quick crossword so Zandio can demonstrate the soundalike play on words that are usually italicised. That soundalike PUN, and another homophone of a fool NIT becomes NET, may contain summer berries a PUNNET
22a Put out a call for workers in spectacles (8)
PAGEANTS: To put out a call for PAGE, and several of our usual worker insects ANTS, provide spectacles or PAGEANTS
24a His boxing would stop blood being shed (7)
DRACULA: This fictional Count is no longer able to extract blood from his victims when he is in his “box” or COFFIN
25a Thai in a broadcast from another country (7)
HAITIAN: An anagram (broadcast) of the first three words, someone from HAITI in the Caribbean
26a Nureyev conceivably is this attractive (3-8)
EYE CATCHING: The first part of this attractive phrase is “caught” in Mr. NurEYEv
Down
1d Said place is surrounded by flipping animals (7)
REPUTED: Even-toed hoofed animals of the Cervidae family DEER, are flipped RE_ED around a synonym of place PUT. Said or REPUTED
2d Clasp found in jumble with 90 per cent off on top (6)
CUDDLE: A couple of synonyms and some Roman maths, my favourite clue when the denarius dropped. A synonym of jumble MUDDLE, replaces its topmost Roman numeral (M= 1000), with another that is 90% smaller (C=100), to become a synonym of clasp CUDDLE
3d Pretty pics unusual in document (10)
TYPESCRIPT: An anagram (unusual) of PRETTY PICS, the appearance of words in a printed document TYPESCRIPT
4d Cash United invested in high-value deposit on the up (4)
EURO: A high-value mineral deposit is reversed (on the up in a down clue) ORE becomes ERO, around the letter that United suggests U
5d Bit of cricket – cut with energy, but too soft (8)
OVERRIPE: A small group of deliveries in a cricket match OVER, a synonym of cut RIP, and an abbreviation of energy E. Overripe fruit that has spent too long in the PUNNET perhaps
6d Soldier, mounted, wore poor tatty clothing (7)
TROOPER: A reverse (mounted in a down clue) lurker (clothing) hidden in the intervening words
7d Earth conceivably appears like a symbol of love (5-6)
HEART-SHAPED: Earth conceivably is “shaped” to be HEART, and a synonym of appears like SHAPED, is the anagram indicator that goes in the answer
9d Conceivably, it’s Adam or me (5,6)
FIRST PERSON: The manner of speech used when I talk about me or more literally the order in which Adam was conceived according to the Bible
12d Record set in athletic ground opening up closed minds? (10)
TELEPATHIC: An anagram (ground) of ATHLETIC, around a record a bit longer than a single EP, the communication between minds otherwise than through the known channels of the senses
15d Drop Christmas on the Radio, traditional-style programme (8)
SCHEDULE: Two homophones (on the radio) of the first two words to drop or SHED and Christmas or YULE, SHEDYULE becomes SCHEDULE, the regular or traditional-style planned programme or listings for radio or television. If you pronounce the C as a hard K please leave the room!
17d Family roll in, eager to hug (7)
LINEAGE: A lurker (to hug) of one’s family or ancestors
19d Saving or betting, as inclined? (7)
BANKING: A triple definition, I think, at least I recall one of the means of betting that occurred in family games of Newmarket was referred to in this manner, Saving money in a Bank, betting or relying on and inclined as in a turning aeroplane
20d Jasper maybe sharing million with little twins (6)
GEMINI: Jasper is a definition by example (maybe), this valuable stone GEM, goes with a synonym of little MINI, but they share the abbreviation of million that ends the GEM and begins the MINI. My star sign is GEMINI, based on the heavenly twins Castor and Pollux
23d Figures showing Putin’s OK, thanks (4)
DATA: How a Russian such as Mr. Putin may say OK DA, and a short thanks TA, figures or DATA