Across
One breaking up light or formal gathering so lovelessly (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
PRIM for formal gathers, takes in, SO without its 0 or love.
Spars with parent boxing in street with son (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
I would have said that spars were the transverse rods that support the sails rather than the masts, which held me up a while, but I’m prepared to accept Chambers’ definition of spar(s) as being “a general term for masts, yards, booms, gaffs, etc”. Anyway, it’s parent MAMA with IN enclosed followed by ST[reet] and S[on]
Music practice — it may contain hard, boring bit (4,5)
Powerful person, one helping to draw the line? (5)
Embellished lecture beginning to nark dons (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
To lecture is to ORATE. The N of nark clothes itself therewith.
Put off agent employed to hold line (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
REP for agent, USED for employed, L[ine] inserted.
One keen on deserts is most erratic, moving out of south (10)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
An anagram (moving) of MOST ERRATIC minus the S[outh]. The just pronunciation of deserts helps.
It's used in branding record and disc (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
That’s LOG for record and O representing disc.
Romance and alcohol on vacation one's spent in Rio (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Both RomancE and AlcohoL are emptied. Currency in Brazil.
Traveller must respect this awfully simple diet (5,5)
Pair cycling around interrupts one who dislikes trouble (3,5)
Race, going from right to left? It helps if one has a break (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
The race is a SPRINT, in which the R[ight] becomes L[eft]. Not a reversal clue, then.
To a large extent, show assent about menu's content (2,3)
Worshipper, I understood, needing to swap sides (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Start with I REALISED for I understood, and swap the R and D from each end. I’m just about OK with the definition, though I don’t think it’s ideal and I’m not loving it.
Failed to observe friend with gin dancing around (9)
One of the Pretenders with cover of Precious — flipping outstanding! (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
The first and last of P[recious] plus DUE for outstanding “flipping”. And here it is!
Down
A one-time artiste (9)
Hot fire from the US or from South America once (5)
Requiring change in China, Buddhists may do so (8)
Lady could employ one male assistant briefly (4)
Naughty setter's going to enjoy appearing in plot (3-7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Imagine our setter saying I’LL HAVE for I’m going to enjoy but put the HAVE bit inside BED for plot. Evil version of Rimmer from Red Dwarf: “First I’m going to lash you to within an inch of your life. And then….I’m going to have you….”
Speak unclearly having knocked back double dose of alcohol (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
The reverse of two RUMs
Morale's so poor where public flogging takes place (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Apparently a N American version of saleroom. An anagram (poor) of MORALE’S SO
Fiddle with projectiles going heavenwards (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
ivarius. DARTS are the projectiles upside down.
Carol's drinking some tea and dashing (10)
Carvery offering pan with grouse (5,4)
Won glaring competition with revised tour dates (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
An anagram (revised) of tour dates.
Following border by Turkey, one goes on foot (4-4)
Fan of Independence Day in good article by Hello! (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
D[ay] is inserted into G[ood] AN for article and HI for hello
Chinese people with bits of information in Asian city (5)
Admission made by litigator tackling small problem (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
A litigator might say “I SUE”. Insert S[mall]
New guided tours advance (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
LED for guided “tours” N[ew].
Type letters or click words in the clue