Sunday Toughie No 188 by proXimal
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 31st of July 2025
Across
1a Spooner’s drawn support for vehicular trial (4,4)
ROAD TEST: The words to Spoonerise today are to have drawn towards you like a broken-down car TOWED and a support for a snooker cue REST. TOWED REST becomes ROAD TEST
5a Flexible stud back in training (6)
PLIANT: A reversal of a stud used for fixing NAIL becomes LIAN, it is inserted into some physical training PT.
9a Getting stuck gauging bearing east (7,2)
SEIZING UP: A phrase for gauging or estimating a problem SIZING UP, contains the compass point E.
11a Sent message in nervous state (5)
WIRED: A double definition. A message sent telegraphically or in a nervous state, perhaps due to too much caffeine.
12a Control device turning in circle to Mercury (6)
REMOTE: A lurker (in) that is reversed (turning).
13a One posting welcomes firm supporter (8)
SECONDER: One who posts SENDER, welcomes our usual firm CO. A SECONDER supports a motion.
15a Educational class held by one of the people (13)
INFORMATIONAL: A Roman one I, and an adjective relating to of the people NATIONAL, that contains (held by) a class at school FORM.
18a Vans routinely transported via vessel (13)
INTRAVENOUSLY: An anagram (transported) of the first two words VANS ROUTINELY becomes INTRAVENOUSLY. The vessel carries blood.
22a Enthusiastic on vacation and still very happy (8)
ECSTATIC: The outer letters of enthusiastic EC, around a synonym of still STATIC.
23a Model apparently dismissing sacked arty correspondent (3,3)
PEN PAL: An anagram (model) of (A)PPA(R)EN(T)L(Y), but first remove (dismissing) an anagram (sacked) of ARTY
26a Firing cap from toy gun (5)
RIFLE: A toy of little importance TRIFLE, loses its first letter or cap.
27a Secure craft with haul, carrying third of plunder to west part of fortress (9)
GUARDROOM: To secure a craft MOOR, and a synonym of haul DRAG, that contains the third letter of plunder U. All reversed (to west in an across clue.)
28a Neglect studies, casually taking time out (6)
DISUSE: An anagram (casually) of S(T)UDIES, but take T for time out first.
29a After retiring, nobody runs in the morning (8)
FORENOON: A reversal (after retiring) of a two-word phrase for nobody NO ONE, a cricket scorer’s run R, and a preposition for in OF. NO ONE R OF becomes FORENOON.
Down
1d Check son boards coach again (8)
RESTRAIN: A genealogical abbreviation for son S, on board to coach again RE-TRAIN.
2d Article upset me by principle (5)
AXIOM: An indefinite article A, the mathematical symbol used for by X, and a reversal (upset) of a slightly pretentious (or French) me MOI becomes IOM.
3d Maybe one asking for another card game (7)
TWISTER: One who calls for another card in pontoon or blackjack, or a party game for contortionists.
4d Give over cereal product (4)
SAGO: To give like an old bed, perhaps SAG, and a cricket scorer’s over O.
6d See British invading old base (3-4)
LOW-BORN: I suspect this one will test the data miners, an archaic term to see LO, and somewhat old or dilapidated WORN, that contains B for British.
7d Dogs barking beg to leave disagreeable rogue (9)
AIREDALES: An anagram (rogue) of DISA(G)R(E)EA(B)LE after another anagram (barking) of BEG has left.
8d In at sunrise regularly, cook for royal family (6)
TUDORS: Regular letters of at sunrise TURS, contain to cook DO.
10d Forces protecting centre of Guatemalan site (8)
PREMISES: A synonym of forces PRISES, around the central letters of Guatemalan EM. The site for conducting a business.
14d Barrier becoming old is detrimental (8)
DAMAGING: A barrier to water DAM and becoming older AGING, is detrimental or DAMAGING.
16d Security measures let down repositories of valuables (4-5)
FAIL-SAFES: A synonym of let down FAIL, and where valuables may be kept SAFES.
17d Fancy complacently neglecting plot prepared for plant! (8)
CYCLAMEN: Our third compound anagram. We usually have two anagram indicators to show that the part to be omitted is not removed whole. An anagram (fancy) of C(O)M(PL)ACEN(T)LY after an anagram (prepared) of PLOT has been removed (neglecting).
19d Passes starter of tuna on ornate salver (7)
TRAVELS: A starting letter T, and an anagram (ornate) of SALVER.
20d Late deliveries of the French and English (7)
OVERDUE: A collection of deliveries of a crickety nature OVER, the French for of DU, and E for English
21d Adjusted opening of grille with lugs (6)
GEARED: An opening letter of grille G, and to have lugs EARED.
24d Publicity for movie with no contest (5)
PROMO: A combining form of for PRO, and what remains of MO(vie) after to contest VIE, has been removed.
25d Set up account with Post Office boss (4)
CAPO: A reversal (set up in a down clue) of account AC becomes CA, and a Post Office abbreviation PO. Boss of the Mafia A CAPO
Compiler
proXimal
That’s all Folks…