0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Made a mistake — came clean after changing gender (6,2)	MESSED UP	Definition: Made a mistake FESSED UP with F changed to M. It's just about possible to read this the other way round, but I think this is the most natural reading (and confirmed by the online solution)
Politicians here — most are reportedly not Labour (8)	STORMONT	Definition: Politicians here Anagram ("Labour") + MOST R (homophone of "ARE") NOT. Stormont is (the site of) the Northern Ireland Assembly
Found in Waterstone's, the right book (6)	ESTHER	Definition: book Hidden in waterstonES THE Right. Esther is the 17th book of the Old Testament, one of two books that do not mention God (the other is the Song of Solomon)
Nervous performing at the Fringe? (2,4)	ON EDGE	Definition: Nervous ON (performing) + EDGE (fringe)
Cross, tense and nearly going nuts (5)	TIGON	Definition: Cross T[ense] + anagram of GOIN[g]. A tigon is a cross between male tiger and a female lion
Old friends taking care of modern miss, including minister (9)	COMPADRES	Definition: Old friends CO (care of) + PADRE in MS (modern "miss", or indeed "Mrs")
Senior officer taking academic stream in philosopher William's place (5)	OCCAM	Definition: philosopher William's place O[fficer] C[ommanding] + CAM (Cambridge river) – reference to William of Occam (or Ockham, which, as I've only just discovered, is a village in Surrey, where he was born), famous for his philosophical "razor"
Getting new gear? Sports official has it (5)	REFIT	Definition: Getting new gear REF[eree] + IT
Hills not unusually having bird sounds around (9)	QUANTOCKS	Definition: Hills NOT* in QUACKS
A party in difficulty (3)	ADO	Definition: difficulty A + DO
Trees found by prince in a foreign country (11)	PHILIPPINES	Definition: a foreign country PHILIP + PINES
Incident is placed on record — lines of celebration? (7)	EPISODE	Definition: Incident EP (record) + IS + ODE (lines)
Rubbish blocking entrance — nasty bit of wire? (7)	GAROTTE	Definition: nasty bit of wire ROT in GATE – more correctly spelled "garrote", it was used for executions in Spain until as recently as 1974
Throw husband out — ancient fellow whose wife has cheated (7)	CUCKOLD	Definition: fellow whose wife has cheated CHUCK less H + OLD
Disciple following evangelist, a man of many words (7)	JOHNSON	Definition: a man of many words JOHN (evangelist) + SON (disciple) – reference to Samuel Johnson, who wrote a lot of words but more specifically I think to his famous Dictionary
Naughty act of sexpot, seen retrospectively (2,4,5)	EX POST FACTO	Definition: seen retrospectively (ACT OF SEXPOT)
Boxer went down, with time running out (3)	ALI	Definition: Boxer ALIT (past tense of "alight", to get down from a train etc) less T
Maiden featured in special birthday poem (9)	DITHYRAMB	Definition: poem M in BIRTHDAY* – the dithyramb was originally a hymn in honour of Dionysus, god of wine and fertility
Surprise article, something you may get lost in ? (5)	AMAZE	Definition: Surprise A MAZE
Little women, never disheartened, about to begin again (5)	RENEW	Definition: begin again Anagram of W + NE[v]ER
State number being brought to head, having taken drug repeatedly (9)	TENNESSEE	Definition: State TEN + NESS (head) + E E
Body in vehicle — something for police to investigate? (7)	CARCASE	Definition: Body CAR + CASE
Aims of criminal joining Italy's No 1 illegal gang (7)	MAFIOSI	Definition: illegal gang (AIMS OF)* + I[taly]
Non-patriots in revolt — being negative, they are charged (11)	ANTIPROTONS	Definition: being negative, they are charged (NON-PATRIOTS)* – the anti-matter equivalent of the proton, negatively charged
Reward soldiers fairly (7)	REQUITE	Definition: Reward RE (Royal Engineers, soldiers) + QUITE (fairly, as in "quite/fairly good") – a word that's more familiar in its negative form, in phrases such as "unrequited love"
Submarine group very hot (7)	SEARING	Definition: very hot SEA + RING
Plump and old, needing exercise? (3)	OPT	Definition: Plump O + PT – as in "to plump for.."
Clown organised teachers — fair target? (7)	COCONUT	Definition: fair target COCO (famous clown) + NUT (teachers' union) – reference to coconut shies at fairs
Small stone housed in French gallery — essential item for visitor (4-3)	MUST-SEE	Definition: essential item for visitor ST[one] in MUSEE (French museum or gallery, as in Musée du Louvre)
Rod deceased, having swallowed yellow chemical (11)	PERCHLORATE	Definition: chemical PERCH (= rod, unit of measure) + OR (yellow in heraldry) in LATE
Theologian enthralled by church organ in Somerset village (7)	CHEDDAR	Definition: Somerset village DD in CH + EAR
Skipper goes round southern island missing bit of ship's apparatus (7)	CAPSTAN	Definition: bit of ship's apparatus S in CAPTAIN less I
Excellent worker — I'll get stuck in, resisting authority (7)	DEFIANT	Definition: resisting authority I in DEF ANT, where DEF = excellent in hip-hop slang – a meaning I first learned from an Araucaria puzzle
Revolutionary member of Eastern religion eating loaf (7)	JACOBIN	Definition: Revolutionary COB (loaf) in JAIN (member of Jainism, an Indian religion). Not to be confused with the Jacobites, the Jacobins were an anti-royalist group in the French Revolution
Spiritualists giving phoney answer (7)	SHAMANS	Definition: Spiritualists SHAM ANS – an appropriate description of spritualists' activities
Simplicity I have found in nature, abandoning old city (7)	NAIVETE	Definition: Simplicity I'VE in NATURE less UR (ancient city, birthplace of Abraham in Genesis)
Tree in river, weak top to bottom (3)	YEW	Definition: Tree WYE with the W moved to the bottom
With lead removed, massive like a trace metal? (5)	OSMIC	Definition: like a trace metal [C]OSMIC – relating to the metallic element Osmium, which "is found as a trace element in alloys, mostly in platinum ores."
As may be an entrance at university, somewhere in Hampshire (2-3-4)	UP AND OVER	Definition: As may be an entrance UP (at university) + ANDOVER (Hampshire town) – some garage doors are called "up and over"
Nearest and dearest recollection of standard socialist leader once (4,6)	KING ALFRED	Definition: leader once KIN (nearest and dearest) + reverse of FLAG + RED (socialist)
Party organiser's pretty funny — a reasonable chance (4,5,2,3,4)	FAIR CRACK OF THE WHIP	Definition: a reasonable chance I think this is FAIR (pretty) CRACK (a joke, a funny) + OF THE WHIP (party organiser's)
Plots extremely pathetic and scenario is ludicrous (12)	CONSPIRACIES	Definition: Plots Anagram of P[atheti]C + SCENARIO IS
Simple switch turned on to receive call (12)	UNORNAMENTED	Definition: Simple NAME (call) in (TURNED ON)
Sham bribe to cross border, rubbish (10)	CODSWALLOP	Definition: rubbish COD (sham) + WALL in SOP
Singer, a delicate creature, going after bouncer (9)	BALLADEER	Definition: Singer BALL ("bouncer") + A DEER
Record on piano, no way for music entrepreneur (7)	EPSTEIN	Definition: music entrepreneur EP + STEIN[WAY] – Brian Epstein, manager of the Beatles
Saucy proposition that's illegal for a hooker? (7,4)	FORWARD PASS	Definition: that's illegal for a hooker FORWARD (saucy) + PASS (proposition, as in "making a pass"), with hooker being a player of Rugby, in which forward passes are not allowed
Call to hug tree, sounding rough (6)	CROAKY	Definition: sounding rough OAK in CRY
Seed that's old removed from a loch (6)	ALMOND	Definition: Seed A + LOMOND less its first I
Quit a golf game to wander idly (4,6)	KICK AROUND	Definition: to wander idly KICK (quit, as in "kick the habit") + A ROUND (game of golf)
Down to make an error (5)	FLUFF	Definition: Down Double definition
Player, a giant with red dicky (9)	TRAGEDIAN	Definition: Player (A GIANT RED)
Norse collection needed, say, regularly (4)	EDDA	Definition: Norse collection Alternate letters of nEeDeD sAy
Become angry: prayer causing breach of faith, unfortunately (4,1,3)	HAVE A FIT	Definition: Become angry AVE in ("breaching") FAITH
Woman carrying pig lacking tail and hair (8)	PORTRESS	Definition: Woman carrying POR[K] + TRESS. It's strange how some -ess words seem relatively innocuous (e.g. waitress, actress, though even there things are changing), while others, such as this one, seem ludicrously contrived and dated
Flame flickering over Bela Lugosi say, villain (10)	MALEFACTOR	Definition: villain FLAME* + ACTOR
Responsible, short advert written up in message (8)	CULPABLE	Definition: Responsible Reverse of PLU[g] (advert) in CABLE (message)
Panels only entertained by fools (8)	CONSOLES	Definition: Panels SOLE in CONS
Wool top pulled up in the manner of pockets (6)	ALPACA	Definition: Wool Reverse of CAP (top) in A LA (in the manner of)
Saw catching top of thigh, hurt (6)	SPITED	Definition: hurt T[high] in SPIED
Slave branded by one, the mark of a printer (5)	SERIF	Definition: the mark of a printer I in SERF (slave)
Play totally dominant role, as might a cannibal at breakfast time? (4,7,2,5)	HAVE SOMEONE ON TOAST	Definition: Play totally dominant role Double definition – the metaphorical meaning is clear, but it's not an expression I was particularly familiar with. Not one of Paul's greatest clues, I thought, but making the best of a rather clunky phrase, I suppose
Musician's book is lacking support (6)	ASSIST	Definition: support BASSIST less B[ook]
Advanced because fighting Germany (7)	FORWARD	Definition: Advanced FOR (because) + WAR (fighting) + D (~~D~~Germany)
Data not in for Red Arrows display? (9)	FORMATION	Definition: Red Arrows display INFORMATION less IN
Long-distance traveller needs to reach Everest's base (5)	COMET	Definition: Long-distance traveller COME + [everes]T, though "reach" is surely "come to", not just "come". Some might not like "base" for the last letter in an across clue, but I don't particularly object
One's exercise at 50? Get going! (5)	IMPEL	Definition: Get going I'M (one's, i.e. one is) + PE + L
Effusive, improvised C sharp setting for Groom's Vow Rejected (9)	RHAPSODIC	Definition: Effusive Reverse of "I DO" (vow in some wedding ceremonies) in (C SHARP)
Barperson who has a sip (about a pint) (7)	TAPSTER	Definition: Barperson P (pint) in TASTER
Caught in lie about old advocate's outfit (6)	TACKLE	Definition: outfit Slight contorted grammar here: the old advocate is a K[ing's] C[ounsel], who is reversed (about) and "caught" be TALE (lie)
Speaker's position, bottom of heap — shame (6)	PODIUM	Definition: Speaker's position [hea]P + ODIUM. Those who didn't like "base" in 10 might feel the same about "bottom" here
Weed brings illness and bereavement (7)	BUGLOSS	Definition: Weed BUG (illness, as in "suffering from a bug") + LOSS – I didn't know the name (which comes from the Greek for "ox-tongue" – bou.. for ox and gloss.. for tongue), but I think I have some of it in my garden..
Lacking competition, large organisation sat after work (9)	UNOPPOSED	Definition: Lacking competition UN (large organisation) + OP + POSED
Submit pill when temperature's taken (5)	TABLE	Definition: Submit TABLET less the second T
Feature of fencing's noisy collapse (5)	FEINT	Definition: Feature of fencing Homophone of "faint" (collapse) – fencing as in swordplay
Turn the screw left not right ultimately, to relax? (7,2)	LIGHTEN UP	Definition: to relax TIGHTEN UP with [righ]T replaced by L – nice misdirection to use the T where one might expect R
Play ten rounds as punishment (7)	PENALTY	Definition: punishment (PLAY TEN)
Who might pierce inner ear, being vexed about Queen and Church (6)	ARCHER	Definition: Who might pierce inner R + CH in EAR*. "Inner" is one of the sections of an archery target
Fact: if swimming round lake, that's trouble (7)	AFFLICT	Definition: trouble L in (FACT IF)
Short cut round T-bar (5)	STRIP	Definition: bar T in S[hort) RIP (cut) – the hyphen has to be ignored
Castrati failed to comprehend Latin composer (9)	SCARLATTI	Definition: composer L in CASTRATI* – Alessandro Scarlatti or his son Domenico: the former is perhaps more appropriate, as he wrote a lot of operas, which would no doubt have featured castrati at the time
Sweet, affectionate article on collection of books (7)	FONDANT	Definition: Sweet FOND + A + N[ew] T[estament]
Meeting different sorts of people (5)	RACES	Definition: Meeting Double definition
Jocular, mad, illogical centre for protected species (9)	ARMADILLO	Definition: protected species Central letters in joculAR MAD ILLOgical – "protected" refers to the armadillo's tough shell, rather than its legal status
To get unengaged, the chap had to take Kitty back (6)	DETACH	Definition: To get unengaged Reverse of CAT in HE'D
Spanish artist admits resistance against reverse driving aid (6)	MIRROR	Definition: driving aid R in MIRO (Spanish artist) + R[everse]
Sales publicity for poet? (9)	PROMOTION	Definition: Sales publicity PRO (for) + [Andrew] MOTION, former Poet :Laureate
Who thinks Rocky too tragic? (9)	COGITATOR	Definition: Who thinks (TOO TRAGIC)
Avoid stage production broadcast: it might infringe the rules (7)	MISPLAY	Definition: it might infringe the rules Homophone of "miss play"
Rogue commanded galleons originally (3,3)	BAD EGG	Definition: Rogue BADE + G[alleon] twice
Second one to cry "Besom"? (7)	SWEEPER	Definition: Besom S + WEEPER – a besom is a broom made of twigs
Pound no good — raise (4,2)	DUFF UP	Definition: Pound DUFF (no good) + UP (raise) – slang phrase (perhaps rather old-fashioned: I associate it with my schooldays 50 years ago) for "beat up"
Feature of flower power: raised behind (5)	PETAL	Definition: Feature of flower P[ower] + reverse of LATE
Sands (new for start of athletics) settle (5)	BENCH	Definition: settle BEACH (sands) with A[thletics] replaced by N; a settle is a high-backed bench
Friend who cleans out the stables? (6)	MUCKER	Definition: Friend Double definition (thought I would have said the stable-cleaner was a mucker-out)
Reacts badly after Foreign Office prediction (8)	FORECAST	Definition: prediction FO + REACTS
Precise pointer to north (6)	NARROW	Definition: Precise N + ARROW
Mended and put back in stock room? (8)	RESTORED	Definition: Mended RE-STORED
I lead the singers; I'm working with orchestra (11)	CHOIRMASTER	Definition: I lead the singers (I'M ORCHESTRA)* – I'm sure I must have seen this nice anagram before, but don't remember it
Boy returning to study gets let in again (7)	READMIT	Definition: let in again READ (study) + reverse of TIM

Made a mistake — came clean after changing gender (6,2)

MESSED UP

Definition: Made a mistake FESSED UP with F changed to M. It's just about possible to read this the other way round, but I think this is the most natural reading (and confirmed by the online solution)

Politicians here — most are reportedly not Labour (8)

STORMONT

Definition: Politicians here Anagram ("Labour") + MOST R (homophone of "ARE") NOT. Stormont is (the site of) the Northern Ireland Assembly

Found in Waterstone's, the right book (6)

ESTHER

Definition: book Hidden in waterstonES THE Right. Esther is the 17th book of the Old Testament, one of two books that do not mention God (the other is the Song of Solomon)

Nervous performing at the Fringe? (2,4)

ON EDGE

Definition: Nervous ON (performing) + EDGE (fringe)

Cross, tense and nearly going nuts (5)

TIGON

Definition: Cross T[ense] + anagram of GOIN[g]. A tigon is a cross between male tiger and a female lion

Old friends taking care of modern miss, including minister (9)

COMPADRES

Definition: Old friends CO (care of) + PADRE in MS (modern "miss", or indeed "Mrs")

Senior officer taking academic stream in philosopher William's place (5)

OCCAM

Definition: philosopher William's place O[fficer] C[ommanding] + CAM (Cambridge river) – reference to William of Occam (or Ockham, which, as I've only just discovered, is a village in Surrey, where he was born), famous for his philosophical "razor"

Getting new gear? Sports official has it (5)

REFIT

Definition: Getting new gear REF[eree] + IT

Hills not unusually having bird sounds around (9)

QUANTOCKS

Definition: Hills NOT* in QUACKS

A party in difficulty (3)

ADO

Definition: difficulty A + DO

Trees found by prince in a foreign country (11)

PHILIPPINES

Definition: a foreign country PHILIP + PINES

Incident is placed on record — lines of celebration? (7)

EPISODE

Definition: Incident EP (record) + IS + ODE (lines)

Rubbish blocking entrance — nasty bit of wire? (7)

GAROTTE

Definition: nasty bit of wire ROT in GATE – more correctly spelled "garrote", it was used for executions in Spain until as recently as 1974

Throw husband out — ancient fellow whose wife has cheated (7)

CUCKOLD

Definition: fellow whose wife has cheated CHUCK less H + OLD

Disciple following evangelist, a man of many words (7)

JOHNSON

Definition: a man of many words JOHN (evangelist) + SON (disciple) – reference to Samuel Johnson, who wrote a lot of words but more specifically I think to his famous Dictionary

Naughty act of sexpot, seen retrospectively (2,4,5)

EX POST FACTO

Definition: seen retrospectively (ACT OF SEXPOT)

Boxer went down, with time running out (3)

ALI

Definition: Boxer ALIT (past tense of "alight", to get down from a train etc) less T

Maiden featured in special birthday poem (9)

DITHYRAMB

Definition: poem M in BIRTHDAY* – the dithyramb was originally a hymn in honour of Dionysus, god of wine and fertility

Surprise article, something you may get lost in ? (5)

AMAZE

Definition: Surprise A MAZE

Little women, never disheartened, about to begin again (5)

RENEW

Definition: begin again Anagram of W + NE[v]ER

State number being brought to head, having taken drug repeatedly (9)

TENNESSEE

Definition: State TEN + NESS (head) + E E

Body in vehicle — something for police to investigate? (7)

CARCASE

Definition: Body CAR + CASE

Aims of criminal joining Italy's No 1 illegal gang (7)

MAFIOSI

Definition: illegal gang (AIMS OF)* + I[taly]

Non-patriots in revolt — being negative, they are charged (11)

ANTIPROTONS

Definition: being negative, they are charged (NON-PATRIOTS)* – the anti-matter equivalent of the proton, negatively charged

Reward soldiers fairly (7)

REQUITE

Definition: Reward RE (Royal Engineers, soldiers) + QUITE (fairly, as in "quite/fairly good") – a word that's more familiar in its negative form, in phrases such as "unrequited love"

Submarine group very hot (7)

SEARING

Definition: very hot SEA + RING

Plump and old, needing exercise? (3)

OPT

Definition: Plump O + PT – as in "to plump for.."

Clown organised teachers — fair target? (7)

COCONUT

Definition: fair target COCO (famous clown) + NUT (teachers' union) – reference to coconut shies at fairs

Small stone housed in French gallery — essential item for visitor (4-3)

MUST-SEE

Definition: essential item for visitor ST[one] in MUSEE (French museum or gallery, as in *Musée du Louvre*)

Rod deceased, having swallowed yellow chemical (11)

PERCHLORATE

Definition: chemical PERCH (= rod, unit of measure) + OR (yellow in heraldry) in LATE

Theologian enthralled by church organ in Somerset village (7)

CHEDDAR

Definition: Somerset village DD in CH + EAR

Skipper goes round southern island missing bit of ship's apparatus (7)

CAPSTAN

Definition: bit of ship's apparatus S in CAPTAIN less I

Excellent worker — I'll get stuck in, resisting authority (7)

DEFIANT

Definition: resisting authority I in DEF ANT, where DEF = excellent in hip-hop slang – a meaning I first learned from an Araucaria puzzle

Revolutionary member of Eastern religion eating loaf (7)

JACOBIN

Definition: Revolutionary COB (loaf) in JAIN (member of Jainism, an Indian religion). Not to be confused with the Jacobites, the Jacobins were an anti-royalist group in the French Revolution

Spiritualists giving phoney answer (7)

SHAMANS

Definition: Spiritualists SHAM ANS – an appropriate description of spritualists' activities

Simplicity I have found in nature, abandoning old city (7)

NAIVETE

Definition: Simplicity I'VE in NATURE less UR (ancient city, birthplace of Abraham in Genesis)

Tree in river, weak top to bottom (3)

YEW

Definition: Tree WYE with the W moved to the bottom

With lead removed, massive like a trace metal? (5)

OSMIC

Definition: like a trace metal [C]OSMIC – relating to the metallic element Osmium, which "is found as a trace element in alloys, mostly in platinum ores."

As may be an entrance at university, somewhere in Hampshire (2-3-4)

UP AND OVER

Definition: As may be an entrance UP (at university) + ANDOVER (Hampshire town) – some garage doors are called "up and over"

Nearest and dearest recollection of standard socialist leader once (4,6)

KING ALFRED

Definition: leader once KIN (nearest and dearest) + reverse of FLAG + RED (socialist)

Party organiser's pretty funny — a reasonable chance (4,5,2,3,4)

FAIR CRACK OF THE WHIP

Definition: a reasonable chance I think this is FAIR (pretty) CRACK (a joke, a funny) + OF THE WHIP (party organiser's)

Plots extremely pathetic and scenario is ludicrous (12)

CONSPIRACIES

Definition: Plots Anagram of P[atheti]C + SCENARIO IS

Simple switch turned on to receive call (12)

UNORNAMENTED

Definition: Simple NAME (call) in (TURNED ON)

Sham bribe to cross border, rubbish (10)

CODSWALLOP

Definition: rubbish COD (sham) + WALL in SOP

Singer, a delicate creature, going after bouncer (9)

BALLADEER

Definition: Singer BALL ("bouncer") + A DEER

Record on piano, no way for music entrepreneur (7)

EPSTEIN

Definition: music entrepreneur EP + STEIN[WAY] – Brian Epstein, manager of the Beatles

Saucy proposition that's illegal for a hooker? (7,4)

FORWARD PASS

Definition: that's illegal for a hooker FORWARD (saucy) + PASS (proposition, as in "making a pass"), with hooker being a player of Rugby, in which forward passes are not allowed

Call to hug tree, sounding rough (6)

CROAKY

Definition: sounding rough OAK in CRY

Seed that's old removed from a loch (6)

ALMOND

Definition: Seed A + LOMOND less its first I

Quit a golf game to wander idly (4,6)

KICK AROUND

Definition: to wander idly KICK (quit, as in "kick the habit") + A ROUND (game of golf)

Down to make an error (5)

FLUFF

Definition: Down Double definition

Player, a giant with red dicky (9)

TRAGEDIAN

Definition: Player (A GIANT RED)

Norse collection needed, say, regularly (4)

EDDA

Definition: Norse collection Alternate letters of nEeDeD sAy

Become angry: prayer causing breach of faith, unfortunately (4,1,3)

HAVE A FIT

Definition: Become angry AVE in ("breaching") FAITH

Woman carrying pig lacking tail and hair (8)

PORTRESS

Definition: Woman carrying POR[K] + TRESS. It's strange how some -ess words seem relatively innocuous (e.g. waitress, actress, though even there things are changing), while others, such as this one, seem ludicrously contrived and dated

Flame flickering over Bela Lugosi say, villain (10)

MALEFACTOR

Definition: villain FLAME* + ACTOR

Responsible, short advert written up in message (8)

CULPABLE

Definition: Responsible Reverse of PLU[g] (advert) in CABLE (message)

Panels only entertained by fools (8)

CONSOLES

Definition: Panels SOLE in CONS

Wool top pulled up in the manner of pockets (6)

ALPACA

Definition: Wool Reverse of CAP (top) in A LA (in the manner of)

Saw catching top of thigh, hurt (6)

SPITED

Definition: hurt T[high] in SPIED

Slave branded by one, the mark of a printer (5)

SERIF

Definition: the mark of a printer I in SERF (slave)

Play totally dominant role, as might a cannibal at breakfast time? (4,7,2,5)

HAVE SOMEONE ON TOAST

Definition: Play totally dominant role Double definition – the metaphorical meaning is clear, but it's not an expression I was particularly familiar with. Not one of Paul's greatest clues, I thought, but making the best of a rather clunky phrase, I suppose

Musician's book is lacking support (6)

ASSIST

Definition: support BASSIST less B[ook]

Advanced because fighting Germany (7)

FORWARD

Definition: Advanced FOR (because) + WAR (fighting) + D (~~D~~Germany)

Data not in for Red Arrows display? (9)

FORMATION

Definition: Red Arrows display INFORMATION less IN

Long-distance traveller needs to reach Everest's base (5)

COMET

Definition: Long-distance traveller COME + [everes]T, though "reach" is surely "come to", not just "come". Some might not like "base" for the last letter in an across clue, but I don't particularly object

One's exercise at 50? Get going! (5)

IMPEL

Definition: Get going I'M (one's, i.e. one is) + PE + L

Effusive, improvised C sharp setting for Groom's Vow Rejected (9)

RHAPSODIC

Definition: Effusive Reverse of "I DO" (vow in some wedding ceremonies) in (C SHARP)

Barperson who has a sip (about a pint) (7)

TAPSTER

Definition: Barperson P (pint) in TASTER

Caught in lie about old advocate's outfit (6)

TACKLE

Definition: outfit Slight contorted grammar here: the old advocate is a K[ing's] C[ounsel], who is reversed (about) and "caught" be TALE (lie)

Speaker's position, bottom of heap — shame (6)

PODIUM

Definition: Speaker's position [hea]P + ODIUM. Those who didn't like "base" in 10 might feel the same about "bottom" here

Weed brings illness and bereavement (7)

BUGLOSS

Definition: Weed BUG (illness, as in "suffering from a bug") + LOSS – I didn't know the name (which comes from the Greek for "ox-tongue" – *bou..* for ox and *gloss..* for tongue), but I think I have some of it in my garden..

Lacking competition, large organisation sat after work (9)

UNOPPOSED

Definition: Lacking competition UN (large organisation) + OP + POSED

Submit pill when temperature's taken (5)

TABLE

Definition: Submit TABLET less the second T

Feature of fencing's noisy collapse (5)

FEINT

Definition: Feature of fencing Homophone of "faint" (collapse) – fencing as in swordplay

Turn the screw left not right ultimately, to relax? (7,2)

LIGHTEN UP

Definition: to relax TIGHTEN UP with [righ]T replaced by L – nice misdirection to use the T where one might expect R

Play ten rounds as punishment (7)

PENALTY

Definition: punishment (PLAY TEN)

Who might pierce inner ear, being vexed about Queen and Church (6)

ARCHER

Definition: Who might pierce inner R + CH in EAR*. "Inner" is one of the sections of an archery target

Fact: if swimming round lake, that's trouble (7)

AFFLICT

Definition: trouble L in (FACT IF)

Short cut round T-bar (5)

STRIP

Definition: bar T in S[hort) RIP (cut) – the hyphen has to be ignored

Castrati failed to comprehend Latin composer (9)

SCARLATTI

Definition: composer L in CASTRATI* – Alessandro Scarlatti or his son Domenico: the former is perhaps more appropriate, as he wrote a lot of operas, which would no doubt have featured castrati at the time

Sweet, affectionate article on collection of books (7)

FONDANT

Definition: Sweet FOND + A + N[ew] T[estament]

Meeting different sorts of people (5)

RACES

Definition: Meeting Double definition

Jocular, mad, illogical centre for protected species (9)

ARMADILLO

Definition: protected species Central letters in joculAR MAD ILLOgical – "protected" refers to the armadillo's tough shell, rather than its legal status

To get unengaged, the chap had to take Kitty back (6)

DETACH

Definition: To get unengaged Reverse of CAT in HE'D

Spanish artist admits resistance against reverse driving aid (6)

MIRROR

Definition: driving aid R in MIRO (Spanish artist) + R[everse]

Sales publicity for poet? (9)

PROMOTION

Definition: Sales publicity PRO (for) + [Andrew] MOTION, former Poet :Laureate

Who thinks Rocky too tragic? (9)

COGITATOR

Definition: Who thinks (TOO TRAGIC)

Avoid stage production broadcast: it might infringe the rules (7)

MISPLAY

Definition: it might infringe the rules Homophone of "miss play"

Rogue commanded galleons originally (3,3)

BAD EGG

Definition: Rogue BADE + G[alleon] twice

Second one to cry "Besom"? (7)

SWEEPER

Definition: Besom S + WEEPER – a besom is a broom made of twigs

Pound no good — raise (4,2)

DUFF UP

Definition: Pound DUFF (no good) + UP (raise) – slang phrase (perhaps rather old-fashioned: I associate it with my schooldays 50 years ago) for "beat up"

Feature of flower power: raised behind (5)

PETAL

Definition: Feature of flower P[ower] + reverse of LATE

Sands (new for start of athletics) settle (5)

BENCH

Definition: settle BEACH (sands) with A[thletics] replaced by N; a settle is a high-backed bench

Friend who cleans out the stables? (6)

MUCKER

Definition: Friend Double definition (thought I would have said the stable-cleaner was a mucker-out)

Reacts badly after Foreign Office prediction (8)

FORECAST

Definition: prediction FO + REACTS

Precise pointer to north (6)

NARROW

Definition: Precise N + ARROW

Mended and put back in stock room? (8)

RESTORED

Definition: Mended RE-STORED

I lead the singers; I'm working with orchestra (11)

CHOIRMASTER

Definition: I lead the singers (I'M ORCHESTRA)* – I'm sure I must have seen this nice anagram before, but don't remember it

Boy returning to study gets let in again (7)

READMIT

Definition: let in again READ (study) + reverse of TIM