0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Think tooth — it chewed (8)	COGITATE	Definition: Think COG (tooth) + IT + ATE
Fail badly with a Japanese verse (5)	TANKA	Definition: Japanese verse TANK (fail badly) + A. Tank (meaning "short poem") is a Japanese verse form with lines of 5, 7 ,5, 7 and 5 syllables (in contrast to haiku, which has 5,7,5)
Act superficially, ordering makeshift cures (4,3,7)	SKIM THE SURFACE	Definition: Act superficially (MAKESHIFT CURES)
Repossessed house and office (4,8)	LOST PROPERTY	Definition: office A repossessed house would be a "lost property" to its residents; railway stations etc may have a "lost property office", but plain "office" seems a bit weak as a definition
Working month taken up with fertiliser (5)	GUANO	Definition: fertiliser Reverse of ON AUG
That elementary particle finally revealing signature in air (5,4)	THEME SONG	Definition: signature in air THE MESON + [revealin]G
Produce more veg than what pokes out of the ground (7)	OUTCROP	Definition: what pokes out of the ground To "out-crop" your rival on the allotment is to "produce more veg than"
Shoot dead, holding automatic at first in both hands (7)	LATERAL	Definition: Shoot LATE (dead) + A[utomatic] in R & L
Worked in bathroom perhaps — it's over light (5)	TILED	Definition: Worked in bathroom perhaps Reverse of IT + L[ight] E[mitting] D[iode]
One attending Macbeth in poorer age made to suffer (9)	OPERAGOER	Definition: One attending Macbeth (POORER AGE)* – this needs a "maybe" after "Macbeth" as the operagoer could be attending any number of operas. I would put a hyphen in the word, but dictionaries seem to disagree
Hurried up a stay in bed, worried for the NHS etc (7,5)	WELFARE STATE	Definition: the NHS etc Reverse of FLEW (hurried) + A REST + ATE (worried)
Assessed situation of a Hobbit clan (4,5)	TOOK STOCK	Definition: Assessed situation The Tooks are a family or clan of Hobbits in Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, so they are "Took stock"
Sentimental actor in summertime is captivated by rambling rose (3,6)	SOB SISTER	Definition: Sentimental actor IS in BST (British Summer Time), in ROSE
Bay where it all comes out? (3,4)	THE WASH	Definition: Bay From the saying "iIt all comes out in the wash", and The Wash, a large bay in East Anglia
Regularly tempt to cut garment lower (7)	DEPRESS	Definition: lower [t]E[m]P[t] in DRESS
A kiss lifts me in Paris, as a rule (5)	AXIOM	Definition: a rule A + X + reverse of MOI
Letters from secretary, a Chinese native (5)	PANDA	Definition: a Chinese native The secretary is a PA, so the letters are P AND A
Final section of joint unfinished choral works (5)	ROACH	Definition: Final section of joint Anagram of CHORA[L] – "the butt of a marijuana cigarette [joint]" as Chambers puts it
Old coin container in Pennsylvania high spot (9)	ANNAPURNA	Definition: high spot ANNA (former Indian coin) + URN in PA
Fixed dot, so company could not be moved (5,4)	STOOD FIRM	Definition: could not be moved (DOT SO)* + FIRM (company)
Miles is after bear symbol (5)	TOTEM	Definition: symbol TOTE (to bear) + M
Sheep hiding in ground cover, an airman's lifesaver (3,4)	MAE WEST	Definition: an airman's lifesaver EWE in MAST (nuts & acorns, which I suppose could cover the ground). The Mae West was the nickname of a US airman's life-jacket, named after the buxom actress
Performing flea meets obstruction (a bit of foliage) (7)	LEAFLET	Definition: a bit of foliage FLEA* + LET (obstruction)
Jack gets United to take on son Tom? (5)	JONES	Definition: Tom? J + ONE + S, with reference to the singer
Getting on Circle line with a large number (3)	OLD	Definition: Getting on O + L + D (500 – large number?: well, it depends what you're counting)
Natural lining material wrapped round end of the contents of basket (5)	MOSES	Definition: contents of basket ~~E (last letter of the middle letters of bASKEt – a rather unusual construction) in MOSS~~ *Ignore that rubbish: it's "end of thE" in MOSS, and the infant Moses was found by hidden in an "ark of bulrushes", i.e. a basket, where he was found by Pharaoh's daughter
Mechanical orbit circling round and around (7)	ROBOTIC	Definition: Mechanical O ("round") in ORBIT* + C (circa, around)
Almost understand oddly clued "shut off" (7)	SECLUDE	Definition: shut off SE[e] + CLUED
Lightweight worker in goods packing? (5)	BOXER	Definition: Lightweight Double definition ("lightweight" is a def-by-example – the question mark at the end of the clue may be intended to show this)
Heating and lighting, say, above school's entrance (9)	OVERHEADS	Definition: Heating and lighting, say OVERHEAD (above) + S[chool]
Easily removable WC with false nuts round tip of base (5-4)	LOOSE-LEAF	Definition: Easily removable LOO (toilet, WC) + [bas]E in FALSE
Ruby's shielded by firm belief (5)	CREDO	Definition: belief RED in CO (company – we had this the other way round in 11a)
Means of defence gets hot with top off (4)	ARMS	Definition: Means of defence [W]ARMS
Game to sleep with nothing on next to Trotsky? (8)	NAPOLEON	Definition: Game NAP + 0 + LEON – perhaps the reference to Trotsky is a nod to the the theme, as is "sleep with nothing on", from the original 4th Commandment "No animal shall sleep in a bed", later surreptitiously modified to "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets"
Booted a bit of the pitch over the top of Hillsborough (4)	SHOD	Definition: Booted H[illsborough] in SOD
Wait, or do shifts as a broadcaster (5,3)	RADIO TWO	Definition: broadcaster (WAIT OR DO)* – Radio 2 is a BBC radio channel, the successor of the Light Programme
Barbarian lifting a thin plate of bone (6)	ANIMAL	Definition: Barbarian Reverse of LAMINA
Circle left to access champ hit badly about the eye (10)	OPHTHALMIC	Definition: about the eye O (circle) + L in (CHAMP HIT)
Animal research facility about to introduce a tedious course (6)	BRUTAL	Definition: Animal RUT (tedious course) in reverse of LAB – perhaps a pity that "animal" appears here so close to 5d
Till first sign of five in the morning about right? (4)	FARM	Definition: Till F[ive] + R in A.M.
Stick around with Gold, an American student (5)	MAJOR	Definition: an American student Reverse of JAM (to stick) + OR – an American student may say "I'm a physics major"
Yes, regatta activated sedentary duck (4,6)	EASY TARGET	Definition: sedentary duck (YES REGATTA)* – the definition is a (needless?) variant on "sitting duck"
Art venue includes sex experience (5)	TASTE	Definition: experience S in TATE [Gallery]
Sydney, if tarted up to present a trivial, cosy image to tourists (8)	DISNEYFY	Definition: to present a trivial, cosy image to tourists (SYDNEY IF)* – an odd-looking spelling, but Chambers has it
Little pig's snitch (8)	SQUEALER	Definition: Little pig Double definition
Spa where males are heard to gain weight (6)	BUXTON	Definition: Spa Homophone of "bucks" + TON
Hide bordering lake (you'll prosper in it) (6)	CLOVER	Definition: you'll prosper in it L in COVER – if you're well off you're "in clover"
Dance nut (4)	BALL	Definition: Dance Double definition – nut=ball=testicle
Artist lacks yen, in a way, for a joint (4)	HOCK	Definition: a joint [David] HOCKNEY less YEN
Newscaster keeps neutral in broadcast (4)	SNOW	Definition: Newscaster N in SOW – Jon Snow, long-running presenter of Channel 4 News
Sort of stone tool that is shortly to be redesigned (6)	OOLITE	Definition: Sort of stone Anagram of TOOL + I.E.
One immersed in pale blue liquor tank (8)	AQUARIUM	Definition: tank I in AQUA RUM
Hairdressing course has a lot of dubious content but requires no skill initially (8)	COIFFURE	Definition: Hairdressing IFF[y] (dubious) in COURSE less S[kill]
Record crowd causes hold-up (3,3)	LOG JAM	Definition: hold-up LOG (record) + JAM (crowd)
Pretty short presidential message (4)	TWEE	Definition: Pretty TWEE[t] – reference to Trump's Twitter habit
Restraint in dark times – a feature of the Stock Exchange? (5,5)	SHARE INDEX	Definition: a feature of the Stock Exchange REIN in SHADE + X (multiplication sign – times)
Roman poet in love with 6d (4)	OVID	Definition: Roman poet O + VI D – not a reference to 6 down
Respond to compound trace elements (5)	REACT	Definition: Respond TRACE
Tasteless individual starts to collect hideous Arabian vases (4)	CHAV	Definition: Tasteless individual First letters of Collect Hideous Arabian Vases
Breed of wildfowl that's been confused with 24ac (5,5)	BRENT GEESE	Definition: Breed of wildfowl Anagram of BEEN + EGRETS (answer to 24ac)
Legal proviso: if Ulster joins the south, independence will follow (4)	NISI	Definition: Legal proviso NI (Ulster – not strictly correct, as often discussed) + S + I. Nisi is Latin for "unless", as in decree nisi for example
Waders needed when East River gets turbulent (6)	EGRETS	Definition: Waders Anagram (barely!) of E R GETS
Former German chancellor meets disheartened Jewish leader for a sort of 4d (8)	KOHLRABI	Definition: a sort of 4d [Helmut] KOHL (German chancellor 1982 to 1998) + RA[B]BI
Bum goes round Liberal get-together to get a drink at the Fox & Roman perhaps (4,4)	REAL BEER	Definition: a drink at the Fox & Roman perhaps L BEE (get-together) in REAR
First two boys to enter mile – silly clots! (6)	EMBOLI	Definition: clots First two letters of BOys in MILE*. I'm not keen on the use "first two" meaning "first two of"
Text: 'Why oh why has nothing been attached to this see-saw?' (4)	YOYO	Definition: see-saw YOY ("why oh why" in textspeak) + O (nothing). Chambers has this hyphenated as YO-YO
Painting, an area of expertise that can provide a means of reducing friction. (8)	OILFIELD	Definition: a means of reducing friction OIL (painting) + FIELD (area of expertise)
Critical appraisals received for variety shows (6)	REVUES	Definition: variety shows Homophone of "reviews"
Vegetable ingredient in cock-a-leekie soup (4)	KALE	Definition: Vegetable Hidden in cocK-A-LEekie – cock-a-leekie is a soup, so the last word is redundant both in the surface and in the cryptic reading
Be prone to wear twisted truss and get extremely bad-tempered (8)	SURLIEST	Definition: extremely bad-tempered LIE (be prone) in TRUSS
Healthcare organisation involved in a local upset (4)	BUPA	Definition: Healthcare organisation Reverse of A PUB – this is the acronym mentioned in the preamble
Be uncertain about state following leader in Washington (5)	WAVER	Definition: Be uncertain W[ashington] + AVER
Arachne's first puzzle will blow your mind (5)	AMAZE	Definition: blow your mind A[rachne] + MAZE
Vote to conceal name in complex means tests (5)	EXAMS	Definition: tests X (vote) replaces N in MEANS
Record the queen pursuing wild tigers (8)	REGISTER	Definition: Record TIGERS* + ER
Compound used in ornamental engraving can make one ill (6)	NIELLO	Definition: Compound used in ornamental engraving (ONE ILL)
Responses heard with ease by radio operators (6)	ECHOES	Definition: Responses "Ease" is a homophone of "E"s, and echo is E in the NATO phonetic alphabet (as used by radio operators)
Dull player gets partial backing (4)	GREY	Definition: Dull Hidden in reverse of plaYER Gets
Church leader associated with far-reaching Enterprise (4)	KIRK	Definition: Church Double definition – Scottish church, and Captain Kirk of *Star Trek
Cry goes up: "Let there be light!" (4)	BULB	Definition: light Reverse of BLUB
Revealing backside reportedly, kiss partner first? (8)	TELLTALE	Definition: Revealing TELL (kiss's "partner" in the expression "kiss and tell") + homophone of "tail" (backside)
Useless dad not taken seriously at first (5)	PANTS	Definition: Useless PA + first letters of Not Taken Seriously
Pass over waste container (4)	SKIP	Definition: Pass over Double definition
Wind far, all wrapped up in swelling burst of energy (5,5)	SOLAR FLARE	Definition: burst of energy (FAR ALL)* in SORE (a swelling)
Furniture item solver suggested? (6)	SETTEE	Definition: Furniture item This raised a smile – the solver is a settee as opposed to a sett**er
Penning notes on passing back, handyman defender (8)	ANTIBODY	Definition: defender Reverse of OBIT ("notes on passing") in ANDY – a (perhaps rather parochial) reference to Andy Kane, known as Handy Andy on the BBC's Changing Rooms (or perhaps Handy Andy is a generic nickname for a handyman?)
Deepest part of script in story likely to crumble (7)	FRIABLE	Definition: likely to crumble [sc]RI[pt] in FABLE
Prowler, male part on parade, initially (7)	PANTHER	Definition: Prowler P[arade] + ANTHER (male part of a flower)
Music in middle of performance, played at centre (8)	ENTR’ACTE	Definition: Music in middle of performance (AT CENTRE)
Drink carrier (6)	PORTER	Definition: Drink Double definition
Standard for Morgan perhaps, happy fellow (5,5)	JOLLY ROGER	Definition: Standard for Morgan perhaps JOLLY (happy) + ROGER (fellow), and a reference to the privateer Captain Henry Morgan
Gloria Gaynor's first and last gig? (8)	SWANSONG	Definition: last gig SWANSON + G[aynor] – nice misdirection to the wrong Gloria
That's one place to go, briefly (2,3)	ID EST	Definition: That's 1 + DEST[ination]
Together in print and embossed (2,6)	IN TANDEM	Definition: Together Hidden in prINT AND EMbossed
Tie spoon on last (8)	NECKWEAR	Definition: Tie NECK (kiss, spoon) + WEAR (to endure, last)
Cricketer in female underwear (4)	SLIP	Definition: Cricketer Double definition
Problem with smalls filling up well (6)	HASSLE	Definition: Problem S S in HALE
Whip under the nether regions, as virago (7)	HELLCAT	Definition: virago HELL (nether regions) + CAT (whip)
Treat Peter to a Trial by Jury, say? (8)	OPERETTA	Definition: Trial by Jury, say (PETER TO A)* – TBJ was Gilbert and Sullivan's first collaboration, apart from Thespis, whose music is lost
Touring Berlin, take nipper (5-5)	ANKLE-BITER	Definition: nipper (BERLIN LAKE)* – picturesque slang for a small child: Chambers tells me it's Australian, though this page traces it back to the US Harper's Magazine of the surprisingly early date of 1850

Think tooth — it chewed (8)

COGITATE

Definition: Think COG (tooth) + IT + ATE

Fail badly with a Japanese verse (5)

TANKA

Definition: Japanese verse TANK (fail badly) + A. Tank (meaning "short poem") is a Japanese verse form with lines of 5, 7 ,5, 7 and 5 syllables (in contrast to haiku, which has 5,7,5)

Act superficially, ordering makeshift cures (4,3,7)

SKIM THE SURFACE

Definition: Act superficially (MAKESHIFT CURES)

Repossessed house and office (4,8)

LOST PROPERTY

Definition: office A repossessed house would be a "lost property" to its residents; railway stations etc may have a "lost property office", but plain "office" seems a bit weak as a definition

Working month taken up with fertiliser (5)

GUANO

Definition: fertiliser Reverse of ON AUG

That elementary particle finally revealing signature in air (5,4)

THEME SONG

Definition: signature in air THE MESON + [revealin]G

Produce more veg than what pokes out of the ground (7)

OUTCROP

Definition: what pokes out of the ground To "out-crop" your rival on the allotment is to "produce more veg than"

Shoot dead, holding automatic at first in both hands (7)

LATERAL

Definition: Shoot LATE (dead) + A[utomatic] in R & L

Worked in bathroom perhaps — it's over light (5)

TILED

Definition: Worked in bathroom perhaps Reverse of IT + L[ight] E[mitting] D[iode]

One attending Macbeth in poorer age made to suffer (9)

OPERAGOER

Definition: One attending Macbeth (POORER AGE)* – this needs a "maybe" after "Macbeth" as the operagoer could be attending any number of operas. I would put a hyphen in the word, but dictionaries seem to disagree

Hurried up a stay in bed, worried for the NHS etc (7,5)

WELFARE STATE

Definition: the NHS etc Reverse of FLEW (hurried) + A REST + ATE (worried)

Assessed situation of a Hobbit clan (4,5)

TOOK STOCK

Definition: Assessed situation The Tooks are a family or clan of Hobbits in Tolkien's *The Hobbit* and *The Lord of the Rings*, so they are "Took stock"

Sentimental actor in summertime is captivated by rambling rose (3,6)

SOB SISTER

Definition: Sentimental actor IS in BST (British Summer Time), in ROSE

Bay where it all comes out? (3,4)

THE WASH

Definition: Bay From the saying "iIt all comes out in the wash", and The Wash, a large bay in East Anglia

Regularly tempt to cut garment lower (7)

DEPRESS

Definition: lower [t]E[m]P[t] in DRESS

A kiss lifts me in Paris, as a rule (5)

AXIOM

Definition: a rule A + X + reverse of MOI

Letters from secretary, a Chinese native (5)

PANDA

Definition: a Chinese native The secretary is a PA, so the letters are P AND A

Final section of joint unfinished choral works (5)

ROACH

Definition: Final section of joint Anagram of CHORA[L] – "the butt of a marijuana cigarette [joint]" as Chambers puts it

Old coin container in Pennsylvania high spot (9)

ANNAPURNA

Definition: high spot ANNA (former Indian coin) + URN in PA

Fixed dot, so company could not be moved (5,4)

STOOD FIRM

Definition: could not be moved (DOT SO)* + FIRM (company)

Miles is after bear symbol (5)

TOTEM

Definition: symbol TOTE (to bear) + M

Sheep hiding in ground cover, an airman's lifesaver (3,4)

MAE WEST

Definition: an airman's lifesaver EWE in MAST (nuts & acorns, which I suppose could cover the ground). The Mae West was the nickname of a US airman's life-jacket, named after the buxom actress

Performing flea meets obstruction (a bit of foliage) (7)

LEAFLET

Definition: a bit of foliage FLEA* + LET (obstruction)

Jack gets United to take on son Tom? (5)

JONES

Definition: Tom? J + ONE + S, with reference to the singer

Getting on Circle line with a large number (3)

OLD

Definition: Getting on O + L + D (500 – large number?: well, it depends what you're counting)

Natural lining material wrapped round end of the contents of basket (5)

MOSES

Definition: contents of basket ~~E (last letter of the middle letters of bASKEt – a rather unusual construction) in MOSS~~ *Ignore that rubbish: it's "end of thE" in MOSS, and the infant Moses was found by hidden in an "ark of bulrushes", i.e. a basket, where he was found by Pharaoh's daughter

Mechanical orbit circling round and around (7)

ROBOTIC

Definition: Mechanical O ("round") in ORBIT* + C (circa, around)

Almost understand oddly clued "shut off" (7)

SECLUDE

Definition: shut off SE[e] + CLUED

Lightweight worker in goods packing? (5)

BOXER

Definition: Lightweight Double definition ("lightweight" is a def-by-example – the question mark at the end of the clue may be intended to show this)

Heating and lighting, say, above school's entrance (9)

OVERHEADS

Definition: Heating and lighting, say OVERHEAD (above) + S[chool]

Easily removable WC with false nuts round tip of base (5-4)

LOOSE-LEAF

Definition: Easily removable LOO (toilet, WC) + [bas]E in FALSE

Ruby's shielded by firm belief (5)

CREDO

Definition: belief RED in CO (company – we had this the other way round in 11a)

Means of defence gets hot with top off (4)

ARMS

Definition: Means of defence [W]ARMS

Game to sleep with nothing on next to Trotsky? (8)

NAPOLEON

Definition: Game NAP + 0 + LEON – perhaps the reference to Trotsky is a nod to the the theme, as is "sleep with nothing on", from the original 4th Commandment "No animal shall sleep in a bed", later surreptitiously modified to "No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets"

Booted a bit of the pitch over the top of Hillsborough (4)

SHOD

Definition: Booted H[illsborough] in SOD

Wait, or do shifts as a broadcaster (5,3)

RADIO TWO

Definition: broadcaster (WAIT OR DO)* – Radio 2 is a BBC radio channel, the successor of the Light Programme

Barbarian lifting a thin plate of bone (6)

ANIMAL

Definition: Barbarian Reverse of LAMINA

Circle left to access champ hit badly about the eye (10)

OPHTHALMIC

Definition: about the eye O (circle) + L in (CHAMP HIT)

Animal research facility about to introduce a tedious course (6)

BRUTAL

Definition: Animal RUT (tedious course) in reverse of LAB – perhaps a pity that "animal" appears here so close to 5d

Till first sign of five in the morning about right? (4)

FARM

Definition: Till F[ive] + R in A.M.

Stick around with Gold, an American student (5)

MAJOR

Definition: an American student Reverse of JAM (to stick) + OR – an American student may say "I'm a physics major"

Yes, regatta activated sedentary duck (4,6)

EASY TARGET

Definition: sedentary duck (YES REGATTA)* – the definition is a (needless?) variant on "sitting duck"

Art venue includes sex experience (5)

TASTE

Definition: experience S in TATE [Gallery]

Sydney, if tarted up to present a trivial, cosy image to tourists (8)

DISNEYFY

Definition: to present a trivial, cosy image to tourists (SYDNEY IF)* – an odd-looking spelling, but Chambers has it

Little pig's snitch (8)

SQUEALER

Definition: Little pig Double definition

Spa where males are heard to gain weight (6)

BUXTON

Definition: Spa Homophone of "bucks" + TON

Hide bordering lake (you'll prosper in it) (6)

CLOVER

Definition: you'll prosper in it L in COVER – if you're well off you're "in clover"

Dance nut (4)

BALL

Definition: Dance Double definition – nut=ball=testicle

Artist lacks yen, in a way, for a joint (4)

HOCK

Definition: a joint [David] HOCKNEY less YEN

Newscaster keeps neutral in broadcast (4)

SNOW

Definition: Newscaster N in SOW – Jon Snow, long-running presenter of Channel 4 News

Sort of stone tool that is shortly to be redesigned (6)

OOLITE

Definition: Sort of stone Anagram of TOOL + I.E.

One immersed in pale blue liquor tank (8)

AQUARIUM

Definition: tank I in AQUA RUM

Hairdressing course has a lot of dubious content but requires no skill initially (8)

COIFFURE

Definition: Hairdressing IFF[y] (dubious) in COURSE less S[kill]

Record crowd causes hold-up (3,3)

LOG JAM

Definition: hold-up LOG (record) + JAM (crowd)

Pretty short presidential message (4)

TWEE

Definition: Pretty TWEE[t] – reference to Trump's Twitter habit

Restraint in dark times – a feature of the Stock Exchange? (5,5)

SHARE INDEX

Definition: a feature of the Stock Exchange REIN in SHADE + X (multiplication sign – times)

Roman poet in love with 6d (4)

OVID

Definition: Roman poet O + VI D – not a reference to 6 down

Respond to compound trace elements (5)

REACT

Definition: Respond TRACE

Tasteless individual starts to collect hideous Arabian vases (4)

CHAV

Definition: Tasteless individual First letters of Collect Hideous Arabian Vases

Breed of wildfowl that's been confused with 24ac (5,5)

BRENT GEESE

Definition: Breed of wildfowl Anagram of BEEN + EGRETS (answer to 24ac)

Legal proviso: if Ulster joins the south, independence will follow (4)

NISI

Definition: Legal proviso NI (Ulster – not strictly correct, as often discussed) + S + I. Nisi is Latin for "unless", as in decree nisi for example

Waders needed when East River gets turbulent (6)

EGRETS

Definition: Waders Anagram (barely!) of E R GETS

Former German chancellor meets disheartened Jewish leader for a sort of 4d (8)

KOHLRABI

Definition: a sort of 4d [Helmut] KOHL (German chancellor 1982 to 1998) + RA[B]BI

Bum goes round Liberal get-together to get a drink at the Fox & Roman perhaps (4,4)

REAL BEER

Definition: a drink at the Fox & Roman perhaps L BEE (get-together) in REAR

First two boys to enter mile – silly clots! (6)

EMBOLI

Definition: clots First two letters of BOys in MILE*. I'm not keen on the use "first two" meaning "first two of"

Text: 'Why oh why has nothing been attached to this see-saw?' (4)

YOYO

Definition: see-saw YOY ("why oh why" in textspeak) + O (nothing). Chambers has this hyphenated as YO-YO

Painting, an area of expertise that can provide a means of reducing friction. (8)

OILFIELD

Definition: a means of reducing friction OIL (painting) + FIELD (area of expertise)

Critical appraisals received for variety shows (6)

REVUES

Definition: variety shows Homophone of "reviews"

Vegetable ingredient in cock-a-leekie soup (4)

KALE

Definition: Vegetable Hidden in cocK-A-LEekie – cock-a-leekie *is* a soup, so the last word is redundant both in the surface and in the cryptic reading

Be prone to wear twisted truss and get extremely bad-tempered (8)

SURLIEST

Definition: extremely bad-tempered LIE (be prone) in TRUSS

Healthcare organisation involved in a local upset (4)

BUPA

Definition: Healthcare organisation Reverse of A PUB – this is the acronym mentioned in the preamble

Be uncertain about state following leader in Washington (5)

WAVER

Definition: Be uncertain W[ashington] + AVER

Arachne's first puzzle will blow your mind (5)

AMAZE

Definition: blow your mind A[rachne] + MAZE

Vote to conceal name in complex means tests (5)

EXAMS

Definition: tests X (vote) replaces N in MEANS

Record the queen pursuing wild tigers (8)

REGISTER

Definition: Record TIGERS* + ER

Compound used in ornamental engraving can make one ill (6)

NIELLO

Definition: Compound used in ornamental engraving (ONE ILL)

Responses heard with ease by radio operators (6)

ECHOES

Definition: Responses "Ease" is a homophone of "E"s, and echo is E in the NATO phonetic alphabet (as used by radio operators)

Dull player gets partial backing (4)

GREY

Definition: Dull Hidden in reverse of plaYER Gets

Church leader associated with far-reaching Enterprise (4)

KIRK

Definition: Church Double definition – Scottish church, and Captain Kirk of *Star Trek

Cry goes up: "Let there be light!" (4)

BULB

Definition: light Reverse of BLUB

Revealing backside reportedly, kiss partner first? (8)

TELLTALE

Definition: Revealing TELL (kiss's "partner" in the expression "kiss and tell") + homophone of "tail" (backside)

Useless dad not taken seriously at first (5)

PANTS

Definition: Useless PA + first letters of Not Taken Seriously

Pass over waste container (4)

SKIP

Definition: Pass over Double definition

Wind far, all wrapped up in swelling burst of energy (5,5)

SOLAR FLARE

Definition: burst of energy (FAR ALL)* in SORE (a swelling)

Furniture item solver suggested? (6)

SETTEE

Definition: Furniture item This raised a smile – the solver is a sett**ee** as opposed to a sett**er

Penning notes on passing back, handyman defender (8)

ANTIBODY

Definition: defender Reverse of OBIT ("notes on passing") in ANDY – a (perhaps rather parochial) reference to Andy Kane, known as Handy Andy on the BBC's *Changing Rooms* (or perhaps Handy Andy is a generic nickname for a handyman?)

Deepest part of script in story likely to crumble (7)

FRIABLE

Definition: likely to crumble [sc]RI[pt] in FABLE

Prowler, male part on parade, initially (7)

PANTHER

Definition: Prowler P[arade] + ANTHER (male part of a flower)

Music in middle of performance, played at centre (8)

ENTR’ACTE

Definition: Music in middle of performance (AT CENTRE)

Drink carrier (6)

PORTER

Definition: Drink Double definition

Standard for Morgan perhaps, happy fellow (5,5)

JOLLY ROGER

Definition: Standard for Morgan perhaps JOLLY (happy) + ROGER (fellow), and a reference to the privateer Captain Henry Morgan

Gloria Gaynor's first and last gig? (8)

SWANSONG

Definition: last gig SWANSON + G[aynor] – nice misdirection to the wrong Gloria

That's one place to go, briefly (2,3)

ID EST

Definition: That's 1 + DEST[ination]

Together in print and embossed (2,6)

IN TANDEM

Definition: Together Hidden in prINT AND EMbossed

Tie spoon on last (8)

NECKWEAR

Definition: Tie NECK (kiss, spoon) + WEAR (to endure, last)

Cricketer in female underwear (4)

SLIP

Definition: Cricketer Double definition

Problem with smalls filling up well (6)

HASSLE

Definition: Problem S S in HALE

Whip under the nether regions, as virago (7)

HELLCAT

Definition: virago HELL (nether regions) + CAT (whip)

Treat Peter to a Trial by Jury, say? (8)

OPERETTA

Definition: Trial by Jury, say (PETER TO A)* – TBJ was Gilbert and Sullivan's first collaboration, apart from *Thespis*, whose music is lost

Touring Berlin, take nipper (5-5)

ANKLE-BITER

Definition: nipper (BERLIN LAKE)* – picturesque slang for a small child: Chambers tells me it's Australian, though this page traces it back to the US Harper's Magazine of the surprisingly early date of 1850