Sunday Toughie No 171 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 4th of May 2025
Across
7a Roughly, heartless judge gives rollicking (8)
CAREFREE: One of our usual rough approximations CA, and a judge REF(r)EE, without its central letter
8a Old flame Romeo stopping passionate urge (6)
EXHORT: How we may refer to an old flame EX, and a synonym of passionate HOT, into which the radio code letter that Romeo suggests has been inserted, EX HO-R-T
9a Start to poke with stick? (4)
PROD: Wordplay and definition all-in-one or &lit. An initial letter P, and a stick ROD
10a Join force to find adventure (10)
ENTERPRISE: Synonyms of the first two words Join becomes ENTER and Force becomes PRISE: boldly go on an adventure ENTERPRISE
11a Relieve detective before unfinished shift (6)
DISPEL: An abbreviated rank of detective inspector DI, and the first four letters of a synonym of shift as a period of time SPEL(l)
13a Choose another chalet on vacation (7)
EXTRACT: A synonym of another EXTRA and the outer letters of chalet CT
14a Second vent’s opening in concrete discharge (7)
REMOVAL: A synonym of concrete REAL, contains an informal second MO and the opening letter of vent V
16a Struck, firstly slapped with glove (7)
SMITTEN: The first letter of slapped S, and a fingerless glove MITTEN
19a One having a daughter one chooses? (7)
ADOPTER: Another wordplay and definition all-in-one. A from the clue and an abbreviation of daughter D, with one who chooses OPTER. One who chooses to take parental responsibility for a daughter (or son) not born to them
20a Summit trouble involving European right (6)
VERTEX: To trouble or annoy VEX, contains abbreviations of European E, and right RT
21a Lighting up? (10)
CHANDELIER: A cryptic definition of a light up on the ceiling
22a Bright expression across mouth initially (4)
BEAM: A self-referential Trademark™ initial letters clue
23a Press photographers covering Queen once (6)
PAPERS: An informal term for intrusive press photographers PAPS, containing the regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth ER.
24a Second key cut revealed key type (8)
SKELETON: The abbreviation of second S, the first two-thirds of key KE, and a synonym of revealed LET ON, reveal a type of SKELETON key
Down
1d Fine hose under hosiery primarily (8)
HAIRLINE: Fine like a crack in porcelain, the primary letter of hosiery H, and under it a hose you may inflate tyres with AIRLINE
2d Weak man married embracing sweetheart (4)
WEED: To take in marriage WED, embraces another Beam/RayT Trademark™ swEet-heart
3d Trial over agreement implicating Republican (6)
ORDEAL: A crickety abbreviation of over O, and a trade agreement DEAL, contain an abbreviation of Republican R
4d Emotionally stable from recent redemption (7)
CENTRED: A well-rounded and emotionally stable person is lurking in the last two words
5d Next, after theist’s end, is heaven (10)
THEREAFTER: The end of theist T and a synonym of heaven HEREAFTER
6d Mine includes endless wine, cheers! (6)
PROSIT: A mine for the extraction of minerals PIT, contains three-quarters of a type of wine ROSe. A Germanic cheers!
8d Runs in time with stomach bug? (7)
ERRATUM: A long time ERA, contains a crickety run R, and an informal stomach TUM. Bug? is a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind
12d Sounded thick? (10)
PRONOUNCED: A double definition, how a word is sounded and thick or considerable
15d Some vessel traverses over plain (7)
ARTLESS: A lurker (some) that is reversed (over) hidden between the (indicators)
17d Lift English tax, in part lifted (8)
ELEVATOR: A dramatic part is reversed (lifted in a down clue)ROLE becomes EL-OR, it contains E for English and an abbreviated tax VAT
18d Plod arrests nabbing one with Ecstasy (7)
TRAIPSE: arrests or seizes TRAPS, nabs a Roman one I, and the abbreviation of Ecstasy E follows
19d Following a silence beat retreat (6)
ASHRAM: A synonym of beat or force RAM, follows A from the clue and an interjection calling for silence SH. A place of religious retreat
20d Makes different sign after victory sign (6)
VARIES: A sign of the Zodiac follows Churchill’s victory sign V+ARIES
22d Possibly grouse meat (4)
BEEF: A double definition to finish
Compiler
Beam
That’s all Folks…