0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Casual piece — watch? (4-5)	PART-TIMER	Definition: Casual PART (piece) TIMER (watch). I think the definition is a bit inaccurate – a part-timer is not necessarily a casual [worker]
Provided the central of this sentence (4)	LIFE	Definition: sentence There seems to be a word missing from this clue – central part? – and as far as I can see the wordplay is just telling us that IF (provided) is the middle of the answer; the outside LE doesn't seem to be indicated
United's a member of football division (2,6)	IN LEAGUE	Definition: United's Double definition
First two of irritating Pogues' wayward followers (8)	GROUPIES	Definition: followers Anagram of IR[ritating] + POGUES
Walked like a confined prisoner in stockinged feet, which prevents self-harm (6,4)	PADDED CELL	Definition: which prevents self-harm Double definition – the prisoner might have padded [his] cell
Penguin's blueish ruffles breaking up pair? (9)	PUBLISHER	Definition: Penguin BLUEISH* in PR. Nitpicking again, Penguin is a definition-by-example so really needs a "maybe" or something. And the surface reading is pretty meaningless
Dish of pork topping and gold hog's back (8)	PORRIDGE	Definition: Dish P[ork] + OR + RIDGE (Hog's Back is a name given to some ridges, e.g. this one
Fit a line to break the involuntary response (8)	ATHLETIC	Definition: Fit A + L in THE + TIC
Times cutting report base (6)	BOTTOM	Definition: base TT in BOOM
Remembered exactly Dicky having stroke (3,3)	OFF PAT	Definition: Remembered exactly OFF (dicky) + PAT (to stroke) – bit of a pity that we've already seen "pat" in the clue to 22a
Book scan reveals money (5)	BREAD	Definition: money B + READ
Worthy attempt to use too much (4)	GOOD	Definition: Worthy GO (atttempt) + OD (overdose)
Normal procedure at home, interrupting course (7)	ROUTINE	Definition: Normal procedure IN (at home) in ROUTE
Horses from stud mostly fed with corn mash (7)	BRONCOS	Definition: Horses CORN* in BOS[S] (stud)
Friend beginning to play the fool (5)	CHUMP	Definition: fool CHUM + P[lay[
Taking supporters back with cast (9)	SNAFFLING	Definition: Taking Reverse of FANS + FLING
At sea, eat no slugs as seafood (10)	LANGOUSTES	Definition: seafood (EAT NO SLUGS)
Boat's destination in song that sounds blue (4)	SKYE	Definition: Boat's destination in song Homophone of "sky", with reference to the Skye Boat Song ("Speed, bonnie boat" etc)
Head examiner is rating cool form (12)	CRANIOLOGIST	Definition: Head examiner (IS RATING COOL)
Fully booked in mid-June and second half of July (12)	UNRESERVEDLY	Definition: Fully RESERVED in [j]UN[e] + [ju]LY
Month not the first that may be triumphal (4)	ARCH	Definition: that may be triumphal [M]ARCH. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is a well-known example of a triumphal arch. There are triumphal marches too, e.g. the famous one in Verdi's *Aida
Unnecessary words? Not about bear (10)	PADDINGTON	Definition: bear PADDING (unnecessary words) + reverse of NOT, giving us the famous fictional bear
Team, say, leading in America (9)	STATESIDE	Definition: in America STATE (say) + SIDE (team)
Grand filling for soldier's jacket (5)	PARKA	Definition: jacket K (1000, a grand) in PARA
Pottery broken by remote conflict (7)	WARFARE	Definition: conflict FAR (remote) in WARE (pottery, as in Delftware, Wedgwood ware)
A king involved in The French Connection (7)	LINKAGE	Definition: Connection (A KING)* in LE
Remember to pay another visit (6)	RECALL	Definition: Remember To pay another visit is to RE-CALL
Abrupt changes of direction upset empty vessels (1-5)	U-TURNS	Definition: Abrupt changes of direction U[pse]T + URNS
Going on to make entrance without expert (2,8)	IN PROGRESS	Definition: Going on PRO (export) in INGRESS
Moderates get revolutionary to swallow arsenic (5)	EASES	Definition: Moderates AS (symbol for Arsenic) in reverse of SEE (to get)
Cook is aware of audible college (9)	BRASENOSE	Definition: college Homophone of "braise" (to cook) + "knows"
Fish getting away from posh speaker? (4)	ORFE	Definition: Fish Another homophone: the "posh" (and rather old-fashioned) pronunciation of "off" as "orff". ORFE is an alternative name for that other familiar crossword fish, the ide
Female writing line in smart gear (5,3)	CHICK LIT	Definition: Female writing L in CHIC KIT
FBI agents entertained by Tess playing parts (8)	SEGMENTS	Definition: parts G-MEN in TESS
Baker's aid is secure after turning on grill (7,3)	ROLLING PIN	Definition: Baker's aid (ON GRILL)* + PIN (to secure)
Musical director finally hurried up? That's the story (9)	NARRATIVE	Definition: story Reverse of EVITA [directo]R RAN (hurried)
Bird dog? A small pig! (8)	CURASSOW	Definition: Bird CUR + A S SOW. The name is an anglicised version of Curaçao
Restful location in which time-wasting matriarch unwound? (8)	ARMCHAIR	Definition: Restful location Anagram of MATRIARCH less T
Bones in back start to ache (6)	STERNA	Definition: Bones STERN (back) + A[che]
Promise to participate (6)	ENGAGE	Definition: Promise Double definition
Live comfortably after introduction to duchess (5)	DWELL	Definition: Live D[uchess] + WELL
Cheese for entrées that's also for starters (4)	FETA	Definition: Cheese First letters of For Entrées That's Also
Screen cleaner we'll install like a flailing whip (8)	WASH-WIPE	Definition: Screen cleaner AS (like) + WHIP* in WE. The redundant "a" seemed a minor blemish, but I suppose SHWI is "a flailing whip"
Dud leader in financial paper (4)	BUMF	Definition: paper BUM (dud) + F – originally meaning toilet paper, from "bum-fodder", later a derogatory term for official documents
Former compound in the parade-ground (5)	HEPAR	Definition: Former compound Hidden in tHE PARade-ground
Salt tax grand, a beauty (7)	GABELLE	Definition: Salt tax G A BELLE
Fine dress material: eastern one's about right (8)	ÉOLIENNE	Definition: Fine dress material LIEN in E ONE – a light silk material, from the same Greek origin as "aeolian".
Players may look up to these old coaches (5)	FLIES	Definition: Players may look up to these Double definition – flies in the theatre (players = actors) and fly=a horse drawn cart
Seabird follows way back after dropping cod's head (5)	SKART	Definition: Seabird Reverse of TRACKS (follows way) less C
Old-style wig, international line in China grass (7)	RAMILIE	Definition: Old-style wig I L in RAMIE (plant known as China Grass)
Hush preceding absolute monarch, one finding speech difficult (9)	STUTTERER	Definition: one finding speech difficult ST (hush!) + UTTER (absolute) ER
Palm tree hem with coir matting (7)	MORICHE	Definition: Palm tree (HEM COIR)
Shock amateur with mate, capturing pawn (5)	APPAL	Definition: Shock A + P in PAL
Wild horse hit a truck's rear, galloping (5)	TAKHI	Definition: Wild horse Anagram of HIT + A [truc]K
Very bright American requiring support at first clue? (8)	BRAINIAC	Definition: Very bright American BRA IN 1 AC[ross]
Greeting collapse with intake of doctor's first anticoagulant (7)	HIRUDIN	Definition: first anticoagulant HI + D[octor] in RUIN
Lost race having end of velskoen stuck in gutter (5)	RONNE	Definition: Lost race [velskoe]N in RONE (Scots word for a gutter). Spenserian (i.e. old or "lost") form of "run" = "to race"; and in case you were wondering, velskoen is "a shoe made of rawhide"
Close couple tie knots, getting married (4)	ITEM	Definition: Close couple TIE* + M
They guide travellers – tops sway when it's windy (8)	WAYPOSTS	Definition: They guide travellers (TOPS SWAY)* – though hardly an anagram at all (I did wonder briefly if WAYSTOPS might be a word)
Signal flag with number of sheets fastened together (5)	WHEFT	Definition: Signal W[ith] + HEFT
Turning poorly, ate about nothing, variation depending on direction (10)	AEOLOTROPY	Definition: variation depending on direction O in (POORLY ATE)
Youngsters turned up divided having landed in divorce? (7)	SPLIT-UP	Definition: divorce LIT in PUPS<
Distort main point about what's central to differences (5)	WREST	Definition: Distort R (middle letter of diffeRences) in WEST
Bypass transformed region (6)	IGNORE	Definition: Bypass REGION* – another very easy anagram clue
Procurer providing pa with a bit of rumpy? (6)	PANDAR	Definition: Procurer P AND A + R[umpy]
Anvil bone broken, nasty rick involved (8)	BECK-IRON	Definition: Anvil RICK* in BONE
Edible seaweed available in plentiful variety (4)	ULVA	Definition: Edible seaweed Hidden in plentifUL VAriety
Rule introduced in public school is binding (7)	FETTERS	Definition: is binding R in FETTES (Edinburgh public school, whose former pupils include cricketer Malcolm Jardine, composer Sir Michael Tippett, and Tony Blair)
Cock-a-hoop president has not become less formal, I held (10)	TRIUMPHANT	Definition: Cock-a-hoop I in TRUMP (he gets everywhere!) + AN'T
Part of prosencephalon, one embedded in layer (8)	STRIATUM	Definition: Part of prosencephalon I in STRATUM
Dimension embodied in form of ahimsa, what yoga can lead to (7)	SAMADHI	Definition: what yoga can lead to D in AHIMSA
Beloved strips for old clowns (7)	JOSKINS	Definition: old clowns JO (Scots beloved + SKINS
Strict law shut up regular feature of opera (6)	SHARIA	Definition: Strict law SH (shut up!) + ARIA
Nervous excitement still rising about bronze (6)	TETANY	Definition: Nervous excitement TAN in YET<
Sensation over positive pedigree (5)	STIRP	Definition: pedigree STIR + P
Takes big risks? Pointers are in these (5)	DICES	Definition: Takes big risks Pointers are INDICES
Climbing up sides of ridge, sheer (4)	PURE	Definition: sheer PU< + R[idg]E
Become annoyingly amorous — we object going: " ______ " (3,1,4)	GET A ROOM	Become annoyingly amorous — we object going: " ______ " (3,1,4) GET (become) + anagram of AMOROUS less US ("we" as the grammatical object), with a kind of &lit feeling for the absent definition
Singer's keeping last of home comforts (6)	CHEERS	Definition: comforts [hom]E in CHER'S
Removed Dexter, retired hurt (8)	DETACHED	Definition: Removed Reverse of TED (Dexter, cricketer, b. 1935)
Eager to fight Rod and Henry in turn (4-2)	GUNG-HO	Definition: Eager to fight GUN ("rod" in gangster slang) + H[enry] in GO (a turn)
Stop working in centre of Beaune — I'm getting outta here! (5)	ADIEU	Definition: I'm getting outta here DIE in [be]AU[ne]
Eat in low spirits, extremely low spirits (9)	MOODINESS	Definition: low spirits DINE (eat) in MOO (low) S[pirit]S
In replay, clatters dopy old wingers (12)	PTERODACTYLS	Definition: old wingers (CLATTERS DOPY)
Criminal's old mate wrong — 10 isn't being clobbered (12)	EXTORTIONIST	Definition: Criminal EX (old mate) + TORT (a civil wrong) + IO (10) + ISN'T
Plan succeeded with huge cutting back (9)	STRATAGEM	Definition: Plan S[ucceeded] + reverse of MEGA (huge) TART (cutting)
Writer's book is out around second half of the month (5)	IBSEN	Definition: Writer B in IS + reverse ("around") of [ju]NE
Flash Gordon, flyer (6)	DRONGO	Definition: flyer GORDON* – the drongo is "a songbird with glossy black plumage and typically a long forked tail and a crest, found in Africa, southern Asia, and Australia", though the word is perhaps more familiar as Australian slang for a stupid person. Flash as in "fancy" for the nicely-appropriate anagram indicator
Has new single out — it's dirty (8)	UNWASHED	Definition: dirty HAS* in UNWED (single)
Open Dad's wine (6)	PATENT	Definition: Open PA + TENT (Spanish red wine, from vino tinto), with "open" as an adjective for the definition
Best saying 12 at start? That's unexpected! (2,6)	BY GEORGE	Definition: That's unexpected BY (homophone of "bye") + George (Best, footballer)
Blasted cat's bitten tot — that's upsetting (6)	GODDAM	Definition: Blasted ADD (tot [up]) in MOG, all reversed
Juicy piece of news — time it proved effective (6)	TITBIT	Definition: Juicy piece of news T + IT + BIT
Narrator describes sport he wants you to join (9)	RECRUITER	Definition: he wants you to join RU (sport) in RECITER
Again Emperor's given order — Congress won't be restricted by it (4,8)	OPEN MARRIAGE	Definition: Congress won't be restricted by it (AGAIN EMPEROR)*, with "congress" in the sexual sense for the definition
On top of one time beauty — she's fascinating (5)	HOURI	Definition: beauty — she's fascinating HOUR (time) + I (one)
Sweetheart's a joy — short but a really good looker (5,3)	EAGLE EYE	Definition: a really good looker [sw]E]et + A GLEE + YE[t]
Director Nick has succeeded in style, but not content (8)	SCORSESE	Definition: Director S[ucceeded] in SCORE (nick) + S[tyl]E – pity about the repetition of S for succeeded (see 21a)
Hard cash? Yes and no (7,5)	FOLDING MONEY	Definition: Hard cash? Yes and no Double/cryptic definition
Criticise cold wine scandal? (9)	CASTIGATE	Definition: Criticise C + ASTI-GATE (generic suffix for a scandal, from Watergate)

Casual piece — watch? (4-5)

PART-TIMER

Definition: Casual PART (piece) TIMER (watch). I think the definition is a bit inaccurate – a part-timer is not necessarily a casual [worker]

Provided the central of this sentence (4)

LIFE

Definition: sentence There seems to be a word missing from this clue – central part? – and as far as I can see the wordplay is just telling us that IF (provided) is the middle of the answer; the outside LE doesn't seem to be indicated

United's a member of football division (2,6)

IN LEAGUE

Definition: United's Double definition

First two of irritating Pogues' wayward followers (8)

GROUPIES

Definition: followers Anagram of IR[ritating] + POGUES

Walked like a confined prisoner in stockinged feet, which prevents self-harm (6,4)

PADDED CELL

Definition: which prevents self-harm Double definition – the prisoner might have padded [his] cell

Penguin's blueish ruffles breaking up pair? (9)

PUBLISHER

Definition: Penguin BLUEISH* in PR. Nitpicking again, Penguin is a definition-by-example so really needs a "maybe" or something. And the surface reading is pretty meaningless

Dish of pork topping and gold hog's back (8)

PORRIDGE

Definition: Dish P[ork] + OR + RIDGE (Hog's Back is a name given to some ridges, e.g. this one

Fit a line to break the involuntary response (8)

ATHLETIC

Definition: Fit A + L in THE + TIC

Times cutting report base (6)

BOTTOM

Definition: base TT in BOOM

Remembered exactly Dicky having stroke (3,3)

OFF PAT

Definition: Remembered exactly OFF (dicky) + PAT (to stroke) – bit of a pity that we've already seen "pat" in the clue to 22a

Book scan reveals money (5)

BREAD

Definition: money B + READ

Worthy attempt to use too much (4)

GOOD

Definition: Worthy GO (atttempt) + OD (overdose)

Normal procedure at home, interrupting course (7)

ROUTINE

Definition: Normal procedure IN (at home) in ROUTE

Horses from stud mostly fed with corn mash (7)

BRONCOS

Definition: Horses CORN* in BOS[S] (stud)

Friend beginning to play the fool (5)

CHUMP

Definition: fool CHUM + P[lay[

Taking supporters back with cast (9)

SNAFFLING

Definition: Taking Reverse of FANS + FLING

At sea, eat no slugs as seafood (10)

LANGOUSTES

Definition: seafood (EAT NO SLUGS)

Boat's destination in song that sounds blue (4)

SKYE

Definition: Boat's destination in song Homophone of "sky", with reference to the Skye Boat Song ("Speed, bonnie boat" etc)

Head examiner is rating cool form (12)

CRANIOLOGIST

Definition: Head examiner (IS RATING COOL)

Fully booked in mid-June and second half of July (12)

UNRESERVEDLY

Definition: Fully RESERVED in [j]UN[e] + [ju]LY

Month not the first that may be triumphal (4)

ARCH

Definition: that may be triumphal [M]ARCH. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is a well-known example of a triumphal arch. There are triumphal marches too, e.g. the famous one in Verdi's *Aida

Unnecessary words? Not about bear (10)

PADDINGTON

Definition: bear PADDING (unnecessary words) + reverse of NOT, giving us the famous fictional bear

Team, say, leading in America (9)

STATESIDE

Definition: in America STATE (say) + SIDE (team)

Grand filling for soldier's jacket (5)

PARKA

Definition: jacket K (1000, a grand) in PARA

Pottery broken by remote conflict (7)

WARFARE

Definition: conflict FAR (remote) in WARE (pottery, as in Delftware, Wedgwood ware)

A king involved in The French Connection (7)

LINKAGE

Definition: Connection (A KING)* in LE

Remember to pay another visit (6)

RECALL

Definition: Remember To pay another visit is to RE-CALL

Abrupt changes of direction upset empty vessels (1-5)

U-TURNS

Definition: Abrupt changes of direction U[pse]T + URNS

Going on to make entrance without expert (2,8)

IN PROGRESS

Definition: Going on PRO (export) in INGRESS

Moderates get revolutionary to swallow arsenic (5)

EASES

Definition: Moderates AS (symbol for Arsenic) in reverse of SEE (to get)

Cook is aware of audible college (9)

BRASENOSE

Definition: college Homophone of "braise" (to cook) + "knows"

Fish getting away from posh speaker? (4)

ORFE

Definition: Fish Another homophone: the "posh" (and rather old-fashioned) pronunciation of "off" as "orff". ORFE is an alternative name for that other familiar crossword fish, the ide

Female writing line in smart gear (5,3)

CHICK LIT

Definition: Female writing L in CHIC KIT

FBI agents entertained by Tess playing parts (8)

SEGMENTS

Definition: parts G-MEN in TESS

Baker's aid is secure after turning on grill (7,3)

ROLLING PIN

Definition: Baker's aid (ON GRILL)* + PIN (to secure)

Musical director finally hurried up? That's the story (9)

NARRATIVE

Definition: story Reverse of EVITA [directo]R RAN (hurried)

Bird dog? A small pig! (8)

CURASSOW

Definition: Bird CUR + A S SOW. The name is an anglicised version of Curaçao

Restful location in which time-wasting matriarch unwound? (8)

ARMCHAIR

Definition: Restful location Anagram of MATRIARCH less T

Bones in back start to ache (6)

STERNA

Definition: Bones STERN (back) + A[che]

Promise to participate (6)

ENGAGE

Definition: Promise Double definition

Live comfortably after introduction to duchess (5)

DWELL

Definition: Live D[uchess] + WELL

Cheese for entrées that's also for starters (4)

FETA

Definition: Cheese First letters of For Entrées That's Also

Screen cleaner we'll install like a flailing whip (8)

WASH-WIPE

Definition: Screen cleaner AS (like) + WHIP* in WE. The redundant "a" seemed a minor blemish, but I suppose SHWI is "a flailing whip"

Dud leader in financial paper (4)

BUMF

Definition: paper BUM (dud) + F – originally meaning toilet paper, from "bum-fodder", later a derogatory term for official documents

Former compound in the parade-ground (5)

HEPAR

Definition: Former compound Hidden in tHE PARade-ground

Salt tax grand, a beauty (7)

GABELLE

Definition: Salt tax G A BELLE

Fine dress material: eastern one's about right (8)

ÉOLIENNE

Definition: Fine dress material LIEN in E ONE – a light silk material, from the same Greek origin as "aeolian".

Players may look up to these old coaches (5)

FLIES

Definition: Players may look up to these Double definition – flies in the theatre (players = actors) and fly=a horse drawn cart

Seabird follows way back after dropping cod's head (5)

SKART

Definition: Seabird Reverse of TRACKS (follows way) less C

Old-style wig, international line in China grass (7)

RAMILIE

Definition: Old-style wig I L in RAMIE (plant known as China Grass)

Hush preceding absolute monarch, one finding speech difficult (9)

STUTTERER

Definition: one finding speech difficult ST (hush!) + UTTER (absolute) ER

Palm tree hem with coir matting (7)

MORICHE

Definition: Palm tree (HEM COIR)

Shock amateur with mate, capturing pawn (5)

APPAL

Definition: Shock A + P in PAL

Wild horse hit a truck's rear, galloping (5)

TAKHI

Definition: Wild horse Anagram of HIT + A [truc]K

Very bright American requiring support at first clue? (8)

BRAINIAC

Definition: Very bright American BRA IN 1 AC[ross]

Greeting collapse with intake of doctor's first anticoagulant (7)

HIRUDIN

Definition: first anticoagulant HI + D[octor] in RUIN

Lost race having end of velskoen stuck in gutter (5)

RONNE

Definition: Lost race [velskoe]N in RONE (Scots word for a gutter). Spenserian (i.e. old or "lost") form of "run" = "to race"; and in case you were wondering, velskoen is "a shoe made of rawhide"

Close couple tie knots, getting married (4)

ITEM

Definition: Close couple TIE* + M

They guide travellers – tops sway when it's windy (8)

WAYPOSTS

Definition: They guide travellers (TOPS SWAY)* – though hardly an anagram at all (I did wonder briefly if WAYSTOPS might be a word)

Signal flag with number of sheets fastened together (5)

WHEFT

Definition: Signal W[ith] + HEFT

Turning poorly, ate about nothing, variation depending on direction (10)

AEOLOTROPY

Definition: variation depending on direction O in (POORLY ATE)

Youngsters turned up divided having landed in divorce? (7)

SPLIT-UP

Definition: divorce LIT in PUPS<

Distort main point about what's central to differences (5)

WREST

Definition: Distort R (middle letter of diffeRences) in WEST

Bypass transformed region (6)

IGNORE

Definition: Bypass REGION* – another very easy anagram clue

Procurer providing pa with a bit of rumpy? (6)

PANDAR

Definition: Procurer P AND A + R[umpy]

Anvil bone broken, nasty rick involved (8)

BECK-IRON

Definition: Anvil RICK* in BONE

Edible seaweed available in plentiful variety (4)

ULVA

Definition: Edible seaweed Hidden in plentifUL VAriety

Rule introduced in public school is binding (7)

FETTERS

Definition: is binding R in FETTES (Edinburgh public school, whose former pupils include cricketer Malcolm Jardine, composer Sir Michael Tippett, and Tony Blair)

Cock-a-hoop president has not become less formal, I held (10)

TRIUMPHANT

Definition: Cock-a-hoop I in TRUMP (he gets everywhere!) + AN'T

Part of prosencephalon, one embedded in layer (8)

STRIATUM

Definition: Part of prosencephalon I in STRATUM

Dimension embodied in form of ahimsa, what yoga can lead to (7)

SAMADHI

Definition: what yoga can lead to D in AHIMSA

Beloved strips for old clowns (7)

JOSKINS

Definition: old clowns JO (Scots beloved + SKINS

Strict law shut up regular feature of opera (6)

SHARIA

Definition: Strict law SH (shut up!) + ARIA

Nervous excitement still rising about bronze (6)

TETANY

Definition: Nervous excitement TAN in YET<

Sensation over positive pedigree (5)

STIRP

Definition: pedigree STIR + P

Takes big risks? Pointers are in these (5)

DICES

Definition: Takes big risks Pointers are INDICES

Climbing up sides of ridge, sheer (4)

PURE

Definition: sheer PU< + R[idg]E

Become annoyingly amorous — we object going: " ______ " (3,1,4)

GET A ROOM

Become annoyingly amorous — we object going: " ______ " (3,1,4) GET (become) + anagram of AMOROUS less US ("we" as the grammatical object), with a kind of &lit feeling for the absent definition

Singer's keeping last of home comforts (6)

CHEERS

Definition: comforts [hom]E in CHER'S

Removed Dexter, retired hurt (8)

DETACHED

Definition: Removed Reverse of TED (Dexter, cricketer, b. 1935)

Eager to fight Rod and Henry in turn (4-2)

GUNG-HO

Definition: Eager to fight GUN ("rod" in gangster slang) + H[enry] in GO (a turn)

Stop working in centre of Beaune — I'm getting outta here! (5)

ADIEU

Definition: I'm getting outta here DIE in [be]AU[ne]

Eat in low spirits, extremely low spirits (9)

MOODINESS

Definition: low spirits DINE (eat) in MOO (low) S[pirit]S

In replay, clatters dopy old wingers (12)

PTERODACTYLS

Definition: old wingers (CLATTERS DOPY)

Criminal's old mate wrong — 10 isn't being clobbered (12)

EXTORTIONIST

Definition: Criminal EX (old mate) + TORT (a civil wrong) + IO (10) + ISN'T

Plan succeeded with huge cutting back (9)

STRATAGEM

Definition: Plan S[ucceeded] + reverse of MEGA (huge) TART (cutting)

Writer's book is out around second half of the month (5)

IBSEN

Definition: Writer B in IS + reverse ("around") of [ju]NE

Flash Gordon, flyer (6)

DRONGO

Definition: flyer GORDON* – the drongo is "a songbird with glossy black plumage and typically a long forked tail and a crest, found in Africa, southern Asia, and Australia", though the word is perhaps more familiar as Australian slang for a stupid person. Flash as in "fancy" for the nicely-appropriate anagram indicator

Has new single out — it's dirty (8)

UNWASHED

Definition: dirty HAS* in UNWED (single)

Open Dad's wine (6)

PATENT

Definition: Open PA + TENT (Spanish red wine, from *vino tinto*), with "open" as an adjective for the definition

Best saying 12 at start? That's unexpected! (2,6)

BY GEORGE

Definition: That's unexpected BY (homophone of "bye") + George (Best, footballer)

Blasted cat's bitten tot — that's upsetting (6)

GODDAM

Definition: Blasted ADD (tot [up]) in MOG, all reversed

Juicy piece of news — time it proved effective (6)

TITBIT

Definition: Juicy piece of news T + IT + BIT

Narrator describes sport he wants you to join (9)

RECRUITER

Definition: he wants you to join RU (sport) in RECITER

Again Emperor's given order — Congress won't be restricted by it (4,8)

OPEN MARRIAGE

Definition: Congress won't be restricted by it (AGAIN EMPEROR)*, with "congress" in the sexual sense for the definition

On top of one time beauty — she's fascinating (5)

HOURI

Definition: beauty — she's fascinating HOUR (time) + I (one)

Sweetheart's a joy — short but a really good looker (5,3)

EAGLE EYE

Definition: a really good looker [sw]E]et + A GLEE + YE[t]

Director Nick has succeeded in style, but not content (8)

SCORSESE

Definition: Director S[ucceeded] in SCORE (nick) + S[tyl]E – pity about the repetition of S for succeeded (see 21a)

Hard cash? Yes and no (7,5)

FOLDING MONEY

Definition: Hard cash? Yes and no Double/cryptic definition

Criticise cold wine scandal? (9)

CASTIGATE

Definition: Criticise C + ASTI-GATE (generic suffix for a scandal, from Watergate)