Explanations: No. 14738 – Tuesday, 27 March 2012
I hope you enjoyed today’s puzzle!
8 It’s grand to wake up and complain (6)
It’s “grand” (G) to wake up (ROUSE) and = GROUSE: complain.
9 Busy company returning copper piper of sorts (8)
Company, ‘co.’, returning (OC) copper (CU) piper of sorts (PIED … of Hamelin) = OCCUPIED: busy.
10 Putter centre golf aids (4)
“pu-TT-er” centre (TEES) golf aids (TEES).
11 Plot revealing prisoner’s crime, in the main (10)
Prisoner’s (CON’S) crime, in the main, at sea (PIRACY) revealing = CONSPIRACY: plot.
12 Lacking some agreed part (6)
“so-ME AGRE-ed” part = MEAGRE: lacking.
14 Hired gun for couple of fools at home (8)
Fool (ASS) couple of fools (ASS) at home (IN) for = ASSASSIN: hired gun.
15 Perhaps prepare to come clean and create trouble for oneself? (3,4,3,5)
GET INTO HOT WATER
Perhaps prepare to come clean (in a bath)? (GET INTO HOT WATER) and create trouble for oneself (GET INTO HOT WATER).
18 Half-berths in front of ship for German (8)
Half “ber-ths” (BER) in front of “ship” (LINER) for = BERLINER: German.
20 Each year it’s pitched it’s obvious (6)
Each year, ‘per annum’ (PA) it’s pitched (TENT) it’s = PATENT: obvious.
22 Supports yet locks (10)
Yet (BUT) locks (TRESSES) = BUTTRESSES: supports.
24 He composed a big hit for ‘Titanic’ (4)
He composed (Alban BERG) a big hit for (the) Titanic (BERG).
25 Unwillingness to spend for a Bronte in the Shambles (8)
In “the shambles” (ME-SS) a Bronte (ANNE) for = MEANNESS: unwillingness to spend.
26 Had a bit of a jog say for free money, perhaps? (6)
Had a bit of a jog (RAN SOME) say, for = RANSOM: “free” money, perhaps?
1 Country/rock and roll musical sound (6)
Rock and roll musical (GREASE) sound = GREECE: country.
2 Pays the price for tournament passes for the audience (4)
Tournament passes (BYES) for the audience = BUYS: pays the price for.
3 Trains half to box for Barry’s, maybe (3,5)
Trains (TEACHES) half “t-o” (T) = TEA CHEST: box for Barry’s (tea), maybe.
4 It turns the tide, a Scotsman admitting nothing (4)
A Scotsman (MO-N) admitting “nothing” (O) = MOON: it turns the tide.
5 Ranges manage somehow on board (6)
On board, ‘in the ship’ (S-S) manage somehow (COPE) = SCOPES: ranges.
6 Game coverage wears all the actors (10)
Wears (SPORTS) all the actors (CAST) = SPORTSCAST: game coverage.
7 Creep around, I have to see (8)
“Creep” around (PERCE) I have (I’VE) = PERCEIVE: to see.
13 Perhaps it tops off the lot in artful deception? (10)
In “artful deception” (GUIL-E) the “lot in” (LOT IN) = GUILLOTINE: perhaps it tops off?
14 Can’t stand Jack at hospital operating room initially (5)
Jack (AB) at “hospital” (H) operating room, initially (OR) = ABHOR: can’t stand.
16 Used 13-down to get shrewd former editor outside (8)
Former editor (EX E-D) outside “shrewd” (CUTE) to get = EXECUTED: used GUILLOTINE.
17 Records attempt to find hanging (8)
Records (TAPES) attempt (TRY) to find = TAPESTRY: hanging.
19 One in the northeast raised second family members (6)
“One” in “the northeast” [N(I)E] raised second, ‘sec’ (CES) = NIECES: family members.
21 None too wide compass pointer perhaps? (6)
Compass pointer perhaps, ‘north arrow’ (N ARROW) = NARROW: none too wide.
23 Well, therefore it’s fair (2-2)
Well (SO) therefore (SO) it’s = SO-SO: fair.
24 Angled after a hospital department (4)
After “a” (B) hospital department, ‘Ear Nose & Throat’ (ENT) = BENT: angled.