Guardian Cryptic #29085

2023-06-01

Solve on Guardian →

Across

1a

With ormolu hem, expensive coat need not be thrown away (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

[ormol]U (hem or edge of – although ormolu (a gold-coloured alloy of copper, tin or zinc, used to decorate furniture) seems a strange material to have chosen here) + SABLE (expensive coat) – the cryptic grammar doesn’t quite work for me

5a

Spike, having mangled cigar: 'Grand to go uncivilised!' (8)

flowerflowerflower
9a

End career (very little in it) (5-3)

flowerflowerflower
10a

Inferior but did farrier work daily, no trouble (6)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

SHOD (did farrier work) + D[ail]Y minus ail (trouble)

11a

Film technology from one involved with Iron Man cast (12)

flowerflowerflower
13a

Shots, say, of parent going round topless (4)

flowerflowerflower
14a

Hot and stuffyinfuriated (8)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Algiers revolves round harem? (8)

flowerflowerflower
18a

One has to pursue female figure (4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

I’VE (one has) after F (female)

20a

Swindle associated with pieces of furniture? Rubbish! (12)

flowerflowerflower
23a

Take a lot of time to become affiliated (6)

flowerflowerflower
24a

Prompt move to Vietnam, avoiding north (8)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Speed up undoing of nepotist (4,2,2)

flowerflowerflower
26a

Royal house about to return delivery (6)

flowerflowerflower

Down

2d

James catches large fish (4)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

SID (James) round L (large) – two elements which some might find obscure: sild is a young herring, which I think I remember from cans of fish in my youth; it’s nearly fifty years since Sid James died but people still watch ‘Carry on’ films, I think

3d

Dance supremo by a rising river (5,4)

flowerflowerflower
4d

Overhear organ piece that goes to the head (6)

flowerflowerflower
5d

Understudy (being separated) to offer a bribe? Despicable! (7,8)

flowerflowerflower
6d

Control keeps regressive creative activity in check (8)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

REIN (control) round a reversal (regressive) of ARTS (creative activity)

7d

Upturned bar in an array (5)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

A reversal (upturned, in a down clue) of ROD (bar) in AN

8d

Hesitant when cutting round tops of diseased elms (10)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

INCISIVE (cutting) round initial letters (tops) of Diseased Elms

12d

Block one's put on a classical architectural feature (10)

Generating...

I haven't cracked this one yet — but Fifteensquared have:

I’M (one’s) + PEDIMENT (classical architectural feature)

15d

Files possibly state: 'Mae West' (9)

flowerflowerflower
16d

Woody surrounding for work unit that produces a reaction? (8)

flowerflowerflower
19d

Son, mean and empty-headed (6)

flowerflowerflower
21d

Decline fleshy fruit vociferously (5)

flowerflowerflower
22d

Manner lacks latitude, causing a spot of discomfort (4)

flowerflowerflower