0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
To entertain, spin record without difficulty (6)	PLEASE	Definition: To entertain Reverse of LP "with EASE", i.e. without difficulty
Troubles at giant rave around 10 on Saturday (10)	AGITATIONS	Definition: Troubles 10 in (AT GIANT)* + S[aturday]
Left in Paris? That's awkward (6)	GAUCHE	Definition: Left in Paris Double definition
Number 10 welcomes new American employee hugging Tory leader (8)	THIRTEEN	Definition: Number T in HIREE (US word for a new employee) in TEN *Thanks to greensward for pointing out that this gives an extra E – it's just HIRE (as in "new hire")
He delivered letters (4)	MAIL	Definition: letters Homophone ("delivered") of "male"
Spanish football manager abandons old league — the end of Bayern's keeper? (8)	GUARDIAN	Definition: keeper Pep GUARDIOLA (current manager of Manchester City) less O L, plus [bayer]N
Do they examine old warhorses? (4)	VETS	Definition: Do they examine A kind of mixed-up double definition, referring to veterinary surgeons and military veterans
B to C minus 1 returns X (5)	TIMES	Definition: X Reverse of SEMITONE (the interval between B and C) less ONE, with X as the symbol for multiplication
I'll place it round or roundish (10)	ELLIPTICAL	Definition: roundish (I'll PLACE IT)
19 across good to get up on 19 across and shine (5)	GLOSS	Definition: shine Reverse of SOL (sun) + G on S (sun)
Exchanges are down — isn't everything volatile (6,2)	TRADES IN	Definition: Exchanges Anagram of ARE D[own] ISN'T
Fixed flag (8)	STANDARD	Definition: Fixed Double definition
The key to a jailbreak? (6)	ESCAPE	Definition: key Double definition
"Arrivederci" to xenophobe, holding up non-native (6)	EXOTIC	Definition: non-native (6) Hidden in reverse of arrivederCI TO XEnophobe
Front runner pulls out of wild motor race (4)	INDY	Definition: motor race [W]INDY – nickname of the Indianapolis 500 car race, and also of the Independent newspaper (now only published online)
Organic group manufactured from clay … (4)	ACYL	Definition: Organic group CLAY* – a component of some organic molecules
… without science, regularly (4)	SINE	Definition: without Alternate letters of ScIeNcE
Broadcast mocking animal eating grain as fodder (3,5)	RYE GRASS	Definition: fodder GR in RYE (homophone of "wry" – mocking) + ASS (animal)
Fatty substances put Tory leader on edge (6)	LIPIDS	Definition: Fatty substances LIP (edge) + IDS (Iain Duncan Smith, Tory leader 2001-2003)
Man going on board with female, in steady relationship at first (6)	SURFER	Definition: Man going on board F in SURE + R[elationship]
Girl returned to look quickly through yearly publications (8)	ALMANACS	Definition: yearly publications ALMA (girl) + reverse of SCAN
Standard way of saying RAM must remain constant? (5,4,5,2,7,3)	THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU	Definition: Standard The faithful ram (male sheep, not to be confused with Random Access Memory, as the surface would have us believe) would say "there will never be another ewe". The song was written for a long-forgotten film, but lives on as a jazz standard.
Badger runs through mown grass (5)	HARRY	Definition: Badger R + R in HAY
Sting involving gin and rum drunk around Geordieland? (6,6)	GORDON SUMNER	Definition: Sting GORDON'S (brand of gin) + N.E. ("Geordieland" is in the north-east of England) in RUM* . The ~~stage~~ real name of musician Sting, who was born in Wallsend, making at least the "Geordie" part relevant – I don't know about the gin and rum
A rook nested in smaller species' overcrowded area (6)	WARREN	Definition: overcrowded area A + R in WREN (a smaller bird than a rook)
Car that only young owners treasure always starts (6)	TOYOTA	Definition: Car First letters of That Only Young Owners Treasure Always
Southern river with very good crustaceans (6)	SCAMPI	Definition: crustaceans S + CAM + PI (sanctimonious, so "very good", if hypocritically so)
Adult errs when drunk? Butts in here, perhaps (8)	ASHTRAYS	Definition: Butts in here, perhaps A[dult] + SHTRAYS (drunken way of saying "strays")
Article with piece about female trainspotter (6)	ANORAK	Definition: trainspotter NORA (female name) in A K[ing] (chess piece)
Piece of cake turned up? Keep mum on! (8)	PUSHOVER	Definition: Piece of cake Reverse of UP + SH (be quiet, keep mum) + OVER (on)
Some running of errands for dogsbody (5)	GOFER	Definition: dogsbody Hidden in runninG OF Errands. A gofer is a dogsbody who may be asked to "go for" things
Topless thin torso, sporting white bloomers (10)	ARROWROOTS	Definition: white bloomers [N]ARROW + TORSO* – arrowroot, which the starch used for thickening in cooking comes from, has white flowers. The plural looks a bit odd but I suppose it's OK.
Rogue with second name unknown (6)	SCALLY	Definition: Rogue S + CALL + Y (unknown in equations etc)
One writing piece about male star (9)	PENTAGRAM	Definition: star PEN + reverse of GAT (gun, piece) + RAM
Impractically theoretical medic taking round out to home by river (11)	DOCTRINAIRE	Definition: Impractically theoretical DOCTOR (medic) less O + IN (home) + AIRE (river)
Crime committed against state senator? (4,7)	HIGH TREASON	Definition: Crime committed against state If TREASON is "high" it becomes SENATOR
Those wrongly taking clarinet solos, discontentedly playing (10)	LARCENISTS	Definition: Those wrongly taking Anagram of CLARINET S[olo]S
Poet from Maidenhead almost set off in posh car (9)	RHYMESTER	Definition: Poet HYME[n] + SET* in R[olls] R[oyce]
Notes drink causing muddled confusion (4-2)	MESS-UP	Definition: muddled confusion MES (plural of me, as in tonic sol-fa) + SUP
Essential for galop, metronome's rising speed (5)	TEMPO	Definition: speed Hidden in reverse of galOP METronome's
Computer keyboard's lead is waterproof (4)	MACK	Definition: waterproof MAC (computer) + K[eyboard] – short form of mac[k]intosh, a coat named – often, as here, with an extra K – after its inventor.
Blame shifted, after royal subject knocked over dearest possession (3-4)	EWE-LAMB	Definition: dearest possession Reverse of WE ("royal subject", as in the Royal We) + BLAME*. I see that the "dearest possession" sense has a biblical origin: in 2 Samuel 12 there is a story about "[a] poor man [who] had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter." Spoiler alert: things don't turn out well for the ewe-lamb.
Scots one grabs stocking left out, no matter who / is getting in wax, reddish (6, 6)	ANYONE/CERISE	Definition: no matter who NY[L]ON in ANE / IS in CERE
Clumsy lassie, cross with pastry, / is going wild with racy language (6, 6)	TAUPIE/SYRIAC	Definition: Clumsy lassie TAU + PIE / (IS RACY)
Like a pigeon that is dead, not twitching inside / mat – cheers me (6, 6)	IN-TOED/TATAMI	Definition: Like a pigeon NOT* in I.E. D / TATA + MI (= me as the third note of the scale, as in do-re-mi)
The old spot censer boiling / seafood dish from Spain wrapped in sort of mantle (6, 6)	SCERNE/PAELLA	Definition: The old spot CENSER* – old variant of discern / E in PALLA
Honouring saints, returning Catholic installed sort of crucifix / explosive priest clutching part of scripture sent back (6, 6)	T-CROSS/AMATOL	Definition: sort of crucifix Reverse of RC in TO SS (I think the definition is inaccurate, as a crucifix includes the crucified body)/ Reverse of (OT in LAMA)
Rolls over squashed by occupant of sty, causing distress / or turns in bloke supplying Jock's sty (6, 6)	SORROW/CROOVE	Definition: distress RR (Rolls-Royce) + O[ver] in SOW / Reverse of OR in COVE
One fish tolerates another / being immature, number wrapped in furled genoa (6, 6)	HASSAR/NONAGE	Definition: One fish HAS SAR / N in GENOA
Tay auk flexing light coat / gobbled maigre – one records pictures (6, 6)	YUKATA/IMAGER	Definition: light coat (TAY AUK)* / MAIGRE
Combustible pile requiring little gas or coal extract / fashions eyesores round centre of village (6, 6)	PYRENE/STYLES	Definition: coal extract PYRE + NE (neon) / [vil]L[age] in STYES
Suffers extremes of tummy rash / takin' part of muscular protein (5, 5)	HASTY/ACTIN	Definition: rash HAS (suffers – with a similarity to 16a) + T[umm]Y / ACTIN[g] (taking [a] part)
Adolescent canine savaged / antelope – part of destiny, alas (6, 6)	NEANIC/INYALA	Definition: Adolescent CANINE* / hidden in destINY ALA – not the (related) NYALAS, as I first thought
Choice groove in broken sherd / penned by martial poet, start of epode a tyrant ordered (8, 8)	DRUTHERS/TYRTAEAN	Definition: Choice RUT in SHERD* (from the US expression "if I had my druthers", derived from "I'd rather..") / anagram of E + A TYRANT
One 'awking footwear, sallow / chap, eastern, turning up, I treated as a friend (5, 5)	OSIER/EN AMI	Definition: sallow [h]OSIER; osier = willow = sallow) / E + reverse of MAN + I (this is the two-word answer mentioned in the instructions)
Performance that's authentic involving townie / is irritating, mostly gratuitous (7, 7)	RECITAL/NEEDLES	Definition: Performance CIT in REAL / NEEDLES[s] – a very familiar construction
Church offerings; / plan (8, 8)	ALTARAGE/PROPOSAL	Definition: Church offerings The competition words
Salmon with cut veg, / labiate plant Cathy cooked in steamer (7, 7)	PARSNIP/STACHYS	Definition: veg PAR + SNIP / CATHY* in SS
Kick boxing set crazily imbibing narcotic stuff / ergo dizzy with close to round delivering massive belt? (6, 6)	SAVATE/OROGEN	Definition: Kick boxing AVA in SET* / ERGO* + ON (close to)
Offensive term for foreigner upsetting a Turk / ('smutty') that surprises me twice over (5, 5)	KRAUT/COOMY	Definition: Offensive term for foreigner (A TURK)* / COO + MY
Conditionally it was part of contract we reckoned / a monstrosity, combining short time and very long time (5, 5)	‘TWERE/TERAS	Definition: Conditionally it was Hidden in contracT WE REckon / T + ERAS
Investigation after soldiers brand companion (8)	RESEARCH	Definition: Investigation RE (Royal Engineers – soldiers) + SEAR (to brand) + CH (Companion of Honour)
Skilled worker's close relatives (5)	MASON	Definition: Skilled worker MA + SON (two close relatives)
Oscar tucked into overcooked fish (4)	DORY	Definition: fish O in DRY
Story about fellow can be forgiven (10)	PARDONABLE	Definition: can be forgiven DON (fellow) in PARABLE – I don't much like the gramatically-inaccurate "can be forgiven" as the definition
Event to talk about endlessly (6)	DISCUS	Definition: Event DISCUS[S]
Well read American volume's devoured (8)	LITERATE	Definition: Well read LITER (US spelling of "litre") + ATE
Boy in distress becomes a champion (7)	PALADIN	Definition: a champion LAD in PAIN
Senior churchman makes parson sympathise (7)	PRELATE	Definition: Senior churchman P + RELATE – I can't find any justification for P=parson, though Chambers does give P = Pastor and Priest (either of which could have been used in the clue) which might justify it indirectly
Dot moans about old creature (8)	MASTODON	Definition: old creature (DOT MOANS)
Drink very quietly with opposition leader in Syria (6)	ALEPPO	Definition: in Syria ALE (drink) + PP (pianissimo) + O[ppostion]. There seems to be a law that Chifonie has to include at least on example of "in X" = "a place in X" in every puzzle
Pipe disintegrating each summer (10)	MEERSCHAUM	Definition: Pipe (EACH SUMMER)
Chop up hardwood? (4)	HASH	Definition: Chop up H[ard] + ASH
Sniff at old Bob's foot sore? (5)	SCORN	Definition: Sniff at S (shilling, bob) + CORN (sore place on the foot)
Cut train in error? It's withdrawn! (8)	TACITURN	Definition: withdrawn (CUT TRAIN)
A lemon is prepared for dessert (8)	SEMOLINA	Definition: dessert (A LEMON IS)
Contradict unknown understudy? (4)	DENY	Definition: Contradict DEN (study) + Y (unknown) – a second "lift and separate" clue (after 24a)
Get high before big exams (6)	TRIPOS	Definition: exams TRIP (to get high) + OS (outsize – big). Tripos is the name of exams at Cambridge University
Vocal in revolutionary hymn (7)	CHORALE	Definition: hymn ORAL in CHE (Guevara)
I'm Bill and I'm not what I seem (8)	IMPOSTER	Definition: I'm not what I seem I'M POSTER
Footwear for English banker wearing suit (10)	ESPADRILLE	Definition: Footwear E + RILL ("banker") in SPADE. I was worried about the suit being "spade" instead of "spades", but Bridge players talk about "the spade suit", so perhaps it's ok
Jewellery taken casually round port (6)	ANKLET	Definition: Jewellery L (left, port) in TAKEN
Windbag caught milliner on TV (10)	CHATTERBOX	Definition: Windbag C + HATTER + BOX
Church in request that's improper (8)	INDECENT	Definition: improper CE in INDENT (request)
Records evaluate hanging (8)	TAPESTRY	Definition: hanging TAPES + TRY
Joiner getting worker's point fairly slowly (7)	ANDANTE	Definition: fairly slowly AND ("joining word") + ANT (worker) + E (compass point)
A flirt is carefree (2,4)	AT EASE	Definition: carefree A TEASE
American chums adapted the same (2,4)	AS MUCH	Definition: the same A + CHUMS
Shelter acceptable for some Rwandans (4)	HUTU	Definition: some Rwandans HUT + U (as in "U and non-U")
Not many voters out in storm: it could ruin the night (5,9)	LIGHT POLLUTION	Definition: it could ruin the night LIGHT POLL ("not many voters") + (OUT IN)
Satisfy a companion to S. Beauty? (5)	SLAKE	Definition: Satisfy The ballet S[wan] LAKE might be a companion to S[leeping] BEAUTY (both with music by Tchaikovsky)
Everything carried round is smashed (8)	TOTALLED	Definition: smashed ALL in TOTED
Groundbreaker I used in wharf (7)	PIONEER	Definition: Groundbreaker ONE (=I) in PIER
TV station securing opera about to broadcast (7)	RADIATE	Definition: to broadcast Reverse of AIDA in RTE (Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann)
Last piece of music recorded twice by a UN secretary-general? (5)	OUTRO	Definition: Last piece of music An "indirect hidden" from bOUTROs bOUTROs-Ghali. "Outro" is in contrast to "intro"
Dispose of foolish nonsense in contrasting volumes (6,3)	POLISH OFF	Definition: Dispose of FOOLISH* in P F (soft and loud in music)
Unmarked fruit kept in college is pulled out (9)	ELONGATED	Definition: pulled out MELON less M[ark] + GATED (kept in college as a punishment)
Messenger's spoken, having lesson in two parts (5)	BARER	Definition: lesson in two parts Homophone of "bearer", and to get the definition we have to split "lesson" into two parts, getting "less on"
Over time, sailor gets trim (2,5)	TO SPARE	Definition: Over T + OS (Ordinary Seaman) + PARE (to trim)
Power couple return to America as sex symbol (7)	PRIAPUS	Definition: sex symbol P + reverse of PAIR + US

To entertain, spin record without difficulty (6)

PLEASE

Definition: To entertain Reverse of LP "with EASE", i.e. without difficulty

Troubles at giant rave around 10 on Saturday (10)

AGITATIONS

Definition: Troubles 10 in (AT GIANT)* + S[aturday]

Left in Paris? That's awkward (6)

GAUCHE

Definition: Left in Paris Double definition

Number 10 welcomes new American employee hugging Tory leader (8)

THIRTEEN

Definition: Number T in HIREE (US word for a new employee) in TEN *Thanks to greensward for pointing out that this gives an extra E – it's just HIRE (as in "new hire")

He delivered letters (4)

MAIL

Definition: letters Homophone ("delivered") of "male"

Spanish football manager abandons old league — the end of Bayern's keeper? (8)

GUARDIAN

Definition: keeper Pep GUARDIOLA (current manager of Manchester City) less O L, plus [bayer]N

Do they examine old warhorses? (4)

VETS

Definition: Do they examine A kind of mixed-up double definition, referring to veterinary surgeons and military veterans

B to C minus 1 returns X (5)

TIMES

Definition: X Reverse of SEMITONE (the interval between B and C) less ONE, with X as the symbol for multiplication

I'll place it round or roundish (10)

ELLIPTICAL

Definition: roundish (I'll PLACE IT)

19 across good to get up on 19 across and shine (5)

GLOSS

Definition: shine Reverse of SOL (sun) + G on S (sun)

Exchanges are down — isn't everything volatile (6,2)

TRADES IN

Definition: Exchanges Anagram of ARE D[own] ISN'T

Fixed flag (8)

STANDARD

Definition: Fixed Double definition

The key to a jailbreak? (6)

ESCAPE

Definition: key Double definition

"Arrivederci" to xenophobe, holding up non-native (6)

EXOTIC

Definition: non-native (6) Hidden in reverse of arrivederCI TO XEnophobe

Front runner pulls out of wild motor race (4)

INDY

Definition: motor race [W]INDY – nickname of the Indianapolis 500 car race, and also of the Independent newspaper (now only published online)

Organic group manufactured from clay … (4)

ACYL

Definition: Organic group CLAY* – a component of some organic molecules

… without science, regularly (4)

SINE

Definition: without Alternate letters of ScIeNcE

Broadcast mocking animal eating grain as fodder (3,5)

RYE GRASS

Definition: fodder GR in RYE (homophone of "wry" – mocking) + ASS (animal)

Fatty substances put Tory leader on edge (6)

LIPIDS

Definition: Fatty substances LIP (edge) + IDS (Iain Duncan Smith, Tory leader 2001-2003)

Man going on board with female, in steady relationship at first (6)

SURFER

Definition: Man going on board F in SURE + R[elationship]

Girl returned to look quickly through yearly publications (8)

ALMANACS

Definition: yearly publications ALMA (girl) + reverse of SCAN

Standard way of saying RAM must remain constant? (5,4,5,2,7,3)

THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU

Definition: Standard The faithful ram (male sheep, not to be confused with Random Access Memory, as the surface would have us believe) would say "there will never be another ewe". The song was written for a long-forgotten film, but lives on as a jazz standard.

Badger runs through mown grass (5)

HARRY

Definition: Badger R + R in HAY

Sting involving gin and rum drunk around Geordieland? (6,6)

GORDON SUMNER

Definition: Sting GORDON'S (brand of gin) + N.E. ("Geordieland" is in the north-east of England) in RUM* . The ~~stage~~ real name of musician Sting, who was born in Wallsend, making at least the "Geordie" part relevant – I don't know about the gin and rum

A rook nested in smaller species' overcrowded area (6)

WARREN

Definition: overcrowded area A + R in WREN (a smaller bird than a rook)

Car that only young owners treasure always starts (6)

TOYOTA

Definition: Car First letters of That Only Young Owners Treasure Always

Southern river with very good crustaceans (6)

SCAMPI

Definition: crustaceans S + CAM + PI (sanctimonious, so "very good", if hypocritically so)

Adult errs when drunk? Butts in here, perhaps (8)

ASHTRAYS

Definition: Butts in here, perhaps A[dult] + SHTRAYS (drunken way of saying "strays")

Article with piece about female trainspotter (6)

ANORAK

Definition: trainspotter NORA (female name) in A K[ing] (chess piece)

Piece of cake turned up? Keep mum on! (8)

PUSHOVER

Definition: Piece of cake Reverse of UP + SH (be quiet, keep mum) + OVER (on)

Some running of errands for dogsbody (5)

GOFER

Definition: dogsbody Hidden in runninG OF Errands. A gofer is a dogsbody who may be asked to "go for" things

Topless thin torso, sporting white bloomers (10)

ARROWROOTS

Definition: white bloomers [N]ARROW + TORSO* – arrowroot, which the starch used for thickening in cooking comes from, has white flowers. The plural looks a bit odd but I suppose it's OK.

Rogue with second name unknown (6)

SCALLY

Definition: Rogue S + CALL + Y (unknown in equations etc)

One writing piece about male star (9)

PENTAGRAM

Definition: star PEN + reverse of GAT (gun, piece) + RAM

Impractically theoretical medic taking round out to home by river (11)

DOCTRINAIRE

Definition: Impractically theoretical DOCTOR (medic) less O + IN (home) + AIRE (river)

Crime committed against state senator? (4,7)

HIGH TREASON

Definition: Crime committed against state If TREASON is "high" it becomes SENATOR

Those wrongly taking clarinet solos, discontentedly playing (10)

LARCENISTS

Definition: Those wrongly taking Anagram of CLARINET S[olo]S

Poet from Maidenhead almost set off in posh car (9)

RHYMESTER

Definition: Poet HYME[n] + SET* in R[olls] R[oyce]

Notes drink causing muddled confusion (4-2)

MESS-UP

Definition: muddled confusion MES (plural of me, as in tonic sol-fa) + SUP

Essential for galop, metronome's rising speed (5)

TEMPO

Definition: speed Hidden in reverse of galOP METronome's

Computer keyboard's lead is waterproof (4)

MACK

Definition: waterproof MAC (computer) + K[eyboard] – short form of mac[k]intosh, a coat named – often, as here, with an extra K – after its inventor.

Blame shifted, after royal subject knocked over dearest possession (3-4)

EWE-LAMB

Definition: dearest possession Reverse of WE ("royal subject", as in the Royal We) + BLAME*. I see that the "dearest possession" sense has a biblical origin: in 2 Samuel 12 there is a story about "[a] poor man [who] had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter." Spoiler alert: things don't turn out well for the ewe-lamb.

Scots one grabs stocking left out, no matter who / is getting in wax, reddish (6, 6)

ANYONE/CERISE

Definition: no matter who NY[L]ON in ANE / IS in CERE

Clumsy lassie, cross with pastry, / is going wild with racy language (6, 6)

TAUPIE/SYRIAC

Definition: Clumsy lassie TAU + PIE / (IS RACY)

Like a pigeon that is dead, not twitching inside / mat – cheers me (6, 6)

IN-TOED/TATAMI

Definition: Like a pigeon NOT* in I.E. D / TATA + MI (= me as the third note of the scale, as in do-re-mi)

The old spot censer boiling / seafood dish from Spain wrapped in sort of mantle (6, 6)

SCERNE/PAELLA

Definition: The old spot CENSER* – old variant of discern / E in PALLA

Honouring saints, returning Catholic installed sort of crucifix / explosive priest clutching part of scripture sent back (6, 6)

T-CROSS/AMATOL

Definition: sort of crucifix Reverse of RC in TO SS (I think the definition is inaccurate, as a crucifix includes the crucified body)/ Reverse of (OT in LAMA)

Rolls over squashed by occupant of sty, causing distress / or turns in bloke supplying Jock's sty (6, 6)

SORROW/CROOVE

Definition: distress RR (Rolls-Royce) + O[ver] in SOW / Reverse of OR in COVE

One fish tolerates another / being immature, number wrapped in furled genoa (6, 6)

HASSAR/NONAGE

Definition: One fish HAS SAR / N in GENOA

Tay auk flexing light coat / gobbled maigre – one records pictures (6, 6)

YUKATA/IMAGER

Definition: light coat (TAY AUK)* / MAIGRE

Combustible pile requiring little gas or coal extract / fashions eyesores round centre of village (6, 6)

PYRENE/STYLES

Definition: coal extract PYRE + NE (neon) / [vil]L[age] in STYES

Suffers extremes of tummy rash / takin' part of muscular protein (5, 5)

HASTY/ACTIN

Definition: rash HAS (suffers – with a similarity to 16a) + T[umm]Y / ACTIN[g] (taking [a] part)

Adolescent canine savaged / antelope – part of destiny, alas (6, 6)

NEANIC/INYALA

Definition: Adolescent CANINE* / hidden in destINY ALA – not the (related) NYALAS, as I first thought

Choice groove in broken sherd / penned by martial poet, start of epode a tyrant ordered (8, 8)

DRUTHERS/TYRTAEAN

Definition: Choice RUT in SHERD* (from the US expression "if I had my druthers", derived from "I'd rather..") / anagram of E + A TYRANT

One 'awking footwear, sallow / chap, eastern, turning up, I treated as a friend (5, 5)

OSIER/EN AMI

Definition: sallow [h]OSIER; osier = willow = sallow) / E + reverse of MAN + I (this is the two-word answer mentioned in the instructions)

Performance that's authentic involving townie / is irritating, mostly gratuitous (7, 7)

RECITAL/NEEDLES

Definition: Performance CIT in REAL / NEEDLES[s] – a very familiar construction

Church offerings; / plan (8, 8)

ALTARAGE/PROPOSAL

Definition: Church offerings The competition words

Salmon with cut veg, / labiate plant Cathy cooked in steamer (7, 7)

PARSNIP/STACHYS

Definition: veg PAR + SNIP / CATHY* in SS

Kick boxing set crazily imbibing narcotic stuff / ergo dizzy with close to round delivering massive belt? (6, 6)

SAVATE/OROGEN

Definition: Kick boxing AVA in SET* / ERGO* + ON (close to)

Offensive term for foreigner upsetting a Turk / ('smutty') that surprises me twice over (5, 5)

KRAUT/COOMY

Definition: Offensive term for foreigner (A TURK)* / COO + MY

Conditionally it was part of contract we reckoned / a monstrosity, combining short time and very long time (5, 5)

‘TWERE/TERAS

Definition: Conditionally it was Hidden in contracT WE REckon / T + ERAS

Investigation after soldiers brand companion (8)

RESEARCH

Definition: Investigation RE (Royal Engineers – soldiers) + SEAR (to brand) + CH (Companion of Honour)

Skilled worker's close relatives (5)

MASON

Definition: Skilled worker MA + SON (two close relatives)

Oscar tucked into overcooked fish (4)

DORY

Definition: fish O in DRY

Story about fellow can be forgiven (10)

PARDONABLE

Definition: can be forgiven DON (fellow) in PARABLE – I don't much like the gramatically-inaccurate "can be forgiven" as the definition

Event to talk about endlessly (6)

DISCUS

Definition: Event DISCUS[S]

Well read American volume's devoured (8)

LITERATE

Definition: Well read LITER (US spelling of "litre") + ATE

Boy in distress becomes a champion (7)

PALADIN

Definition: a champion LAD in PAIN

Senior churchman makes parson sympathise (7)

PRELATE

Definition: Senior churchman P + RELATE – I can't find any justification for P=parson, though Chambers does give P = Pastor and Priest (either of which could have been used in the clue) which might justify it indirectly

Dot moans about old creature (8)

MASTODON

Definition: old creature (DOT MOANS)

Drink very quietly with opposition leader in Syria (6)

ALEPPO

Definition: in Syria ALE (drink) + PP (pianissimo) + O[ppostion]. There seems to be a law that Chifonie has to include at least on example of "in X" = "a place in X" in every puzzle

Pipe disintegrating each summer (10)

MEERSCHAUM

Definition: Pipe (EACH SUMMER)

Chop up hardwood? (4)

HASH

Definition: Chop up H[ard] + ASH

Sniff at old Bob's foot sore? (5)

SCORN

Definition: Sniff at S (shilling, bob) + CORN (sore place on the foot)

Cut train in error? It's withdrawn! (8)

TACITURN

Definition: withdrawn (CUT TRAIN)

A lemon is prepared for dessert (8)

SEMOLINA

Definition: dessert (A LEMON IS)

Contradict unknown understudy? (4)

DENY

Definition: Contradict DEN (study) + Y (unknown) – a second "lift and separate" clue (after 24a)

Get high before big exams (6)

TRIPOS

Definition: exams TRIP (to get high) + OS (outsize – big). Tripos is the name of exams at Cambridge University

Vocal in revolutionary hymn (7)

CHORALE

Definition: hymn ORAL in CHE (Guevara)

I'm Bill and I'm not what I seem (8)

IMPOSTER

Definition: I'm not what I seem I'M POSTER

Footwear for English banker wearing suit (10)

ESPADRILLE

Definition: Footwear E + RILL ("banker") in SPADE. I was worried about the suit being "spade" instead of "spades", but Bridge players talk about "the spade suit", so perhaps it's ok

Jewellery taken casually round port (6)

ANKLET

Definition: Jewellery L (left, port) in TAKEN

Windbag caught milliner on TV (10)

CHATTERBOX

Definition: Windbag C + HATTER + BOX

Church in request that's improper (8)

INDECENT

Definition: improper CE in INDENT (request)

Records evaluate hanging (8)

TAPESTRY

Definition: hanging TAPES + TRY

Joiner getting worker's point fairly slowly (7)

ANDANTE

Definition: fairly slowly AND ("joining word") + ANT (worker) + E (compass point)

A flirt is carefree (2,4)

AT EASE

Definition: carefree A TEASE

American chums adapted the same (2,4)

AS MUCH

Definition: the same A + CHUMS

Shelter acceptable for some Rwandans (4)

HUTU

Definition: some Rwandans HUT + U (as in "U and non-U")

Not many voters out in storm: it could ruin the night (5,9)

LIGHT POLLUTION

Definition: it could ruin the night LIGHT POLL ("not many voters") + (OUT IN)

Satisfy a companion to S. Beauty? (5)

SLAKE

Definition: Satisfy The ballet S[wan] LAKE might be a companion to S[leeping] BEAUTY (both with music by Tchaikovsky)

Everything carried round is smashed (8)

TOTALLED

Definition: smashed ALL in TOTED

Groundbreaker I used in wharf (7)

PIONEER

Definition: Groundbreaker ONE (=I) in PIER

TV station securing opera about to broadcast (7)

RADIATE

Definition: to broadcast Reverse of AIDA in RTE (Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann)

Last piece of music recorded twice by a UN secretary-general? (5)

OUTRO

Definition: Last piece of music An "indirect hidden" from bOUTROs bOUTROs-Ghali. "Outro" is in contrast to "intro"

Dispose of foolish nonsense in contrasting volumes (6,3)

POLISH OFF

Definition: Dispose of FOOLISH* in P F (soft and loud in music)

Unmarked fruit kept in college is pulled out (9)

ELONGATED

Definition: pulled out MELON less M[ark] + GATED (kept in college as a punishment)

Messenger's spoken, having lesson in two parts (5)

BARER

Definition: lesson in two parts Homophone of "bearer", and to get the definition we have to split "lesson" into two parts, getting "less on"

Over time, sailor gets trim (2,5)

TO SPARE

Definition: Over T + OS (Ordinary Seaman) + PARE (to trim)

Power couple return to America as sex symbol (7)

PRIAPUS

Definition: sex symbol P + reverse of PAIR + US