0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Musician takes time over odd disciple (9)	TRUMPETER	Definition: Musician T + RUM + PETER
Fruit makes mild alcoholic drink, but with no head (10)	CLEMENTINE	Definition: Fruit CLEMENT (mild) + [W]INE
Setter's old-fashioned? That's an insurmountable difficulty! (7)	IMPASSE	Definition: That's an insurmountable difficulty I'M PASSÉ
New look with Japanese sash? That's capital! (7)	NAIROBI	Definition: capital N + AIR + OBI (Japanese sash)
Deer takes one for a ride (4)	DOES	Definition: Deer Double definition, with two different pronunciations: female deer and swindles
Beliefs about current in river (5)	LOIRE	Definition: river I (symbol for electric current) in LORE (beliefs – see also 15a)
Surprise people over time in therapy (9)	TREATMENT	Definition: therapy TREAT (surprise) + MEN + T
Purgative stops meals being digested (5,5)	EPSOM SALTS	Definition: Purgative (STOPS MEALS)
Rigour of head supporting old enterprise (9)	EXACTNESS	Definition: Rigour EX (old) ACT (enterprise) "supported by" NESS (geographical "head")
Artist holds up gold casket for the band (9)	ORCHESTRA	Definition: the band OR (gold) + CHEST + RA
Vet fell over burrow (7)	EXAMINE	Definition: Vet Reverse of AXE (to fell) + MINE (burrow)
Loyal? Huns act badly! (7)	STAUNCH	Definition: Loyal (HUNS ACT)
Pastor gets usher to beg (5)	PLEAD	Definition: beg P[astor] + LEAD (to usher)
Emphasise cropped hair (5)	TRESS	Definition: hair [S]TRESS
Penny has beer and pasty (4)	PALE	Definition: pasty P + ALE
Feature of Trump and PM putting the Queen off (6)	THATCH	Definition: Feature of Trump [Margaret] THATCHER less ER, and reference to the Donald's hairstyle
Takes apart splinter group in contemptuous talk (8)	DISSECTS	Definition: Takes apart SECT in DISS (contemptuous talk)
Building block of wood, what's backed with board in port (6)	ASHLAR	Definition: Building block ASH (wood) + LAR – if you "back it with board" you get LARBOARD, another word the the nautical term "port"
Able to move quickly for a take-off in an emergency (8)	SCRAMBLE	Definition: take-off in an emergency ABLE with A replaced by SCRAM (move quickly)
Old Testament book's terribly crude and emotional (14)	DEUTERONOMICAL	Definition: Old Testament book's (CRUDE EMOTIONAL)*. The 's tells us that we want the adjectival form of the biblical book of Deuteronomy
Bother in big house having a plant with narcotic properties (10)	MANDRAGORA	Definition: plant with narcotic properties DRAG (a bother) in MANOR + A. Another name for Mandrake
Worry when study is neglected in research establishment (4)	CERN	Definition: research establishment CONCERN (worry) less CON (to study)
One of two Nobel physicists said to swank (4)	BRAG	Definition: to swank Homophone of "Bragg" – the Nobel-winning father and son pair of William Henry and Willam Lawrence Bragg
Figures in trouble at sea, reportedly Germanic folk (10)	RECTANGLES	Definition: Figures Homophone of "wrecked" (in trouble at sea) + ANGLES (Germanic people)
Disappoint others giving first instruction to unload the truck? (3,3,4,4)	LET THE SIDE DOWN	Definition: Disappoint others Double definition
Sunday cruciverbalist, maybe, who has cutting edge? (8)	SWORDMAN	Definition: who has cutting edge S + WORDMAN
Symphony offering racy stuff (not Beethoven's Fourth) (6)	EROICA	Definition: Symphony EROTICA (racy stuff) less the fourth letter of beeThoven. And indeed the Eroica is not Beethoven's fourth symphony, but his third
Last thing you want in head and on collar? (8)	DANDRUFF	Definition: Last thing you want in head and on collar Last letter of heaD + AND + RUFF (collar), &lit
Commercial to air in busy shopping season (6)	ADVENT	Definition: busy shopping season AD (advert, commercial) + VENT (to air)
Person who is horrible, just a bit, about nothing (4)	TOAD	Definition: Person who is horrible O (nothing) in TAD (a liitle)
A short song about aged Greek (7)	ACHAEAN	Definition: Greek AE (aged, an abbreviation of Latin aetatis, "of his age) in A CHAN[t]
Fellow curtly abandoning diocese and ecclesiastical groups (8)	CHAPTERS	Definition: ecclesiastical groups CHAP (fellow) + TERSELY less ELY (ecclesiastical see)
One caught entering square reprimanded, treated as trash? (11)	INCINERATED	Definition: treated as trash I C in NINE (square number) + RATED (reprimanded)
Being obsequious would put Mrs May off (6)	SMARMY	Definition: obsequious (MRS MAY)
Small room, not half brilliant for accommodating superior writer (7)	CUBICLE	Definition: Small room U (upper-class, superior) + BIC (pen, writer) in half of CLE[ver]
Renders Happy Birthday, say, with nicely introduced bumps (9)	SWELLINGS	Definition: bumps WELL (nicely) in SINGS
Untidy employees making a contribution to Warwickshire's coat of arms (6,5)	RAGGED STAFF	Definition: a contribution to Warwickshire's coat of arms RAGGED (untidy) + STAFF (employees). The coat of arms of Warwickshire features a bear chained to a ragged staff. Very weak clueing of the "ragged" part of the phrase, I'm afraid
Crowd is idle, wandering round, to be got going (9)	MOBILISED	Definition: got going MOB (crowd) + (IS IDLE)
Lacking special apparel, knight is thrown out, not admired (8)	UNADORED	Definition: not admired UNADORNED less N (knight, in chess)
What could play music in particular key, hard stuff (7)	ALTHORN	Definition: What could play music ALT (computer key) + HORN (hard stuff)
Towel I'd discarded, when lots of bits are dry (3,4)	LOW TIDE	Definition: when lots of bits are dry (TOWEL I'D)
Bit of paper stuck on yellow garment worn by some women (6)	CHADOR	Definition: garment worn by some women CHAD (piece of paper – remember the "hanging chads" of the 2000 US presidential elections) + OR (yellow)
Like school pupil sounding unrelaxed (4)	TAUT	Definition: unrelaxed Homophone of "taught" (like a pupil)
Fluid that stops part of intestine becoming drier (4,5)	BATH TOWEL	Definition: drier THAT* in BOWEL
Liberal taken in by Polish subterfuge (5)	BLUFF	Definition: subterfuge L in BUFF (to polish)
Copper knocking back a very soft drink (5)	CUPPA	Definition: drink CU (copper) + reverse of (A PP)
Esteemed sappers scanned in shed (9)	RESPECTED	Definition: Esteemed RE (Royal Engineers, sappers) + INSPECTED (scanned) with the IN "shed"
Suitable place for child's drink (3)	LAP	Definition: Suitable place for child Double definition
Case of student in East dogging revered Christian leader (2,9)	ST AUGUSTINE	Definition: Christian leader S[tuden]T IN E containing or "dogging"(to dog = to worry, plague or infest) AUGUST (revered)
Royal spouse, criminal type (7)	CONSORT	Definition: Royal spouse CON (criminal) + SORT
Pay them off, knowing how they feel (7)	EMPATHY	Definition: knowing how they feel (PAY THEM)
Begin to sparkle, as smoker might? (5,2)	LIGHT UP	Definition: Begin to sparkle Double definition
Cuts back gradually, limiting publicity for shows (7)	PARADES	Definition: shows AD (publicity) in PARES (cuts back gradually)
Company member initially gives hope of settlements (11)	COMPROMISES	Definition: settlements CO + M[ember] + PROMISES
In favour of US president sacking Democrat (3)	FOR	Definition: In favour [Gerald] FORD less D
Sound in the Orkneys? It's pervaded by beat, loud and deep (5,4)	SCAPA FLOW	Definition: Sound in the Orkneys CAP (to exceed or beat) in SA (sex appeal, "it") + F (loud) + LOW (deep). Scapa Flow was a naval base in World Wars 1 and 2.
Old American beans preserved thus? (5)	INCAN	Definition: Old American Beans are preserved IN a CAN
Child expert's son has scar (5)	SPOCK	Definition: Child expert S + POCK (mark – from which we get the old plural form "pox"). Benjamin Spock, aka Dr Spock, is famous for his 1946 book "Baby and Child Care"
Scavenging insect disturbed deer and shortly bolted (3-6)	DOR-BEETLE	Definition: Scavenging insect Anagram of DEER + BOLTE[D]. I spent some time trying to justify this as DOR + BEETLE[D], with beetle = to scurry or "bolt". The Dor – a new word for me – is a kind of dung beetle
No more leg on display at Wimbledon? (7)	TOPSPIN	Definition: display at Wimbledon TOPS (no more, as in "this crossword should take twenty minutes, tops") + PIN (leg)
Haulier and partner sort bananas (11)	TRANSPORTER	Definition: Haulier (PARTNER SORT)
Women's absolute authority (7)	WARRANT	Definition: authority W + ARRANT
Way hosts give pasta? (7)	LASAGNE	Definition: pasta SAG (to give) in (hosted by) LANE (way)
First of bells echoes buzzer (3)	BEE	Definition: buzzer B[ells] + E= Echo twice
Nancy's a fool, grasping double hook to straighten (7)	UNTWIST	Definition: to straighten UN (French "a", Nancy being the French city) + S (double hook) in TWIT (fool)
Aboard ferry on vacation I'd become restless (7)	FIDGETY	Definition: restless I'D GET (become) in F[err]Y
News media first raised matter Nutmeg's aiming to cover up (11)	SUPPRESSIVE	Definition: aiming to cover up Reverse of PUS + PRESS (news media) + I'VE (Nutmeg has)
Ravenous pests, many seen outside clubs regularly (7)	LOCUSTS	Definition: Ravenous pests Alternate letters of ClUbS in LOTS
A celebration after morning engaged in this country dance (7)	GAMBADO	Definition: dance A.M. in G[reat] B[ritain] + A DO (party, celebration). I knew this word from Katisha's line in The Mikado: "I'll spoil … your gay gambado" (to rhyme with "Mikado", though she doesn't get to say the word)
Spotted exploitative manager turning key (7)	PIMPLED	Definition: Spotted PIMP (exploitative manager) + reverse of DEL (computer key)
Job with gunners over when the fighting's ended (7)	POSTWAR	Definition: when the fighting's ended POST (job) + W[ith] + reverse of RA (Royal Artillery, gunners)
Shortfall bound to restrict Conservative leader, if mounting (7)	DEFICIT	Definition: Shortfall C + IF in TIED, all reversed
Funny line forgotten in gag (7)	STRANGE	Definition: Funny STRANGLE less L
A British flyer at sea (3)	AUK	Definition: flyer at sea A + UK
Cigarette covering to break away (5,3)	SPLIT OFF	Definition: break away TO in SPLIFF
Come from a stream back-to-front (6)	ARRIVE	Definition: Come A + RIVER with the last R moved to the front
About to get tax break (6)	RECESS	Definition: break RE (about) + CESS (tax – related to "assess" and "excise")
Seizing queen with kiss, her partner loses face (8)	ANNEXING	Definition: Seizing ANNE (queen) + X (kiss) + [K]ING
Female characters in the United Nations (4)	EDNA	Definition: Female Hidden "characters" in unitED NAtions
Flying in Hackney's hair-raising? (10)	AIRLIFTING	Definition: Flying in HAIR with a Cockney dropped H + LIFTING, and a nicely accurate definition
Twirling arms and moving leg to show affection (7)	SNUGGLE	Definition: to show affection Reverse of GUNS (arms) + LEG
Inauspicious literary work by Bill (7)	ADVERSE	Definition: Inauspicious AD (advert, bill) + VERSE (literary work)
Biblical event which is thought to be true (10)	ASSUMPTION	Definition: Biblical event Double definition; however the Assumption of Mary, which was adopted as a Catholic doctrine in 1950, is not described in the bible, except by some rather tortured exegesis
On which to sit, or stand nearly upright (4)	REAR	Definition: On which to sit Double definition: as a noun and then a verb (e.g. a rearing horse)
Soldier's bound to store paper in present place (4,4)	GIFT SHOP	Definition: present place FT (Financial Times) in GI'S HOP. A gift shop is a place to buy presents
DIY nut working without order (6)	UNTIDY	Definition: without order (DIY NUT)
Smelly plant leaves large on a fungus (6)	AGARIC	Definition: fungus A + GARLIC less L[arge]
Beginning to solicit, these people pick up farm workers (8)	SHEARERS	Definition: farm workers S[olicit] + HEARERS (people who "pick up")
Spear thrown over rocks to try new activities (6,4,5)	SPREAD ONE’S WINGS	Definition: to try new activities SPEAR* + DONE (over) + SWINGS (rocks). Not, as I suspected at first, an anagram of SPEAR THROWN OVER
Vigorously approve of crooks kidnapping French drunk (4,11)	LIKE GANGBUSTERS	Definition: Vigorously LIKE (approve of) + BU (French for "drunk" – past participle of "boire", as in j'ai bu du vin). Although I was familiar with this expression, I didn't know that it came from an American radio programme that ran from 1936 to 1957.
Rubbish records about love by Wham! (10)	CODSWALLOP	Definition: Rubbish O (love) in CDS + WALLOP (to "wham")
Flings with a couple of fellows affected behaviour (7)	AFFAIRS	Definition: Flings ~~F F in AIRS~~ *Thanks to Grantinfreo for pointing out that this should be A + F F + AIRS
Women clad in cooler colour (4)	FAWN	Definition: colour W in FAN
Politician Brits execrate violently online (6,9)	BREXIT SECRETARY	Definition: Politician (BRITS EXECRATE)* + RY (line), with an &littish surface. The least said about the holders of this office (officially Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union) the better, if you ask me.
Paper that's still popular and good quality (7,8)	EVENING STANDARD	Definition: Paper EVEN (still) + IN (popular) + G[ood] + STANDARD (quality). The Standard is a London evening paper, now given out free at stations etc, and edited by former Chancellor George Osborne
Agreements to work wearing prostheses (10)	INDENTURES	Definition: Agreements to work If you have prosthetic teeth you could be said to be IN DENTURES
Feeble desire to capture little monkey (7)	WIMPISH	Definition: Feeble IMP (mischievous child, little monkey) in WISH
A white pawn (4)	HOCK	Definition: A white Double definition; a white wine, and to pawn (as in pawnbroker). A very neat one to finish.
Remote location in loop, might you say? (9)	BACKWATER	Definition: Remote location Reversing "loop" gives us "pool", so it's "BACK WATER"
Piece, central to, or on the far side of, banner (5)	QUEEN	Definition: Piece The word "banner" has ANNE in the middle and ER at the end: both queens

Musician takes time over odd disciple (9)

TRUMPETER

Definition: Musician T + RUM + PETER

Fruit makes mild alcoholic drink, but with no head (10)

CLEMENTINE

Definition: Fruit CLEMENT (mild) + [W]INE

Setter's old-fashioned? That's an insurmountable difficulty! (7)

IMPASSE

Definition: That's an insurmountable difficulty I'M PASSÉ

New look with Japanese sash? That's capital! (7)

NAIROBI

Definition: capital N + AIR + OBI (Japanese sash)

Deer takes one for a ride (4)

DOES

Definition: Deer Double definition, with two different pronunciations: female deer and swindles

Beliefs about current in river (5)

LOIRE

Definition: river I (symbol for electric current) in LORE (beliefs – see also 15a)

Surprise people over time in therapy (9)

TREATMENT

Definition: therapy TREAT (surprise) + MEN + T

Purgative stops meals being digested (5,5)

EPSOM SALTS

Definition: Purgative (STOPS MEALS)

Rigour of head supporting old enterprise (9)

EXACTNESS

Definition: Rigour EX (old) ACT (enterprise) "supported by" NESS (geographical "head")

Artist holds up gold casket for the band (9)

ORCHESTRA

Definition: the band OR (gold) + CHEST + RA

Vet fell over burrow (7)

EXAMINE

Definition: Vet Reverse of AXE (to fell) + MINE (burrow)

Loyal? Huns act badly! (7)

STAUNCH

Definition: Loyal (HUNS ACT)

Pastor gets usher to beg (5)

PLEAD

Definition: beg P[astor] + LEAD (to usher)

Emphasise cropped hair (5)

TRESS

Definition: hair [S]TRESS

Penny has beer and pasty (4)

PALE

Definition: pasty P + ALE

Feature of Trump and PM putting the Queen off (6)

THATCH

Definition: Feature of Trump [Margaret] THATCHER less ER, and reference to the Donald's hairstyle

Takes apart splinter group in contemptuous talk (8)

DISSECTS

Definition: Takes apart SECT in DISS (contemptuous talk)

Building block of wood, what's backed with board in port (6)

ASHLAR

Definition: Building block ASH (wood) + LAR – if you "back it with board" you get LARBOARD, another word the the nautical term "port"

Able to move quickly for a take-off in an emergency (8)

SCRAMBLE

Definition: take-off in an emergency ABLE with A replaced by SCRAM (move quickly)

Old Testament book's terribly crude and emotional (14)

DEUTERONOMICAL

Definition: Old Testament book's (CRUDE EMOTIONAL)*. The 's tells us that we want the adjectival form of the biblical book of Deuteronomy

Bother in big house having a plant with narcotic properties (10)

MANDRAGORA

Definition: plant with narcotic properties DRAG (a bother) in MANOR + A. Another name for Mandrake

Worry when study is neglected in research establishment (4)

CERN

Definition: research establishment CONCERN (worry) less CON (to study)

One of two Nobel physicists said to swank (4)

BRAG

Definition: to swank Homophone of "Bragg" – the Nobel-winning father and son pair of William Henry and Willam Lawrence Bragg

Figures in trouble at sea, reportedly Germanic folk (10)

RECTANGLES

Definition: Figures Homophone of "wrecked" (in trouble at sea) + ANGLES (Germanic people)

Disappoint others giving first instruction to unload the truck? (3,3,4,4)

LET THE SIDE DOWN

Definition: Disappoint others Double definition

Sunday cruciverbalist, maybe, who has cutting edge? (8)

SWORDMAN

Definition: who has cutting edge S + WORDMAN

Symphony offering racy stuff (not Beethoven's Fourth) (6)

EROICA

Definition: Symphony EROTICA (racy stuff) less the fourth letter of beeThoven. And indeed the *Eroica* is not Beethoven's fourth symphony, but his third

Last thing you want in head and on collar? (8)

DANDRUFF

Definition: Last thing you want in head and on collar Last letter of heaD + AND + RUFF (collar), &lit

Commercial to air in busy shopping season (6)

ADVENT

Definition: busy shopping season AD (advert, commercial) + VENT (to air)

Person who is horrible, just a bit, about nothing (4)

TOAD

Definition: Person who is horrible O (nothing) in TAD (a liitle)

A short song about aged Greek (7)

ACHAEAN

Definition: Greek AE (aged, an abbreviation of Latin *aetatis*, "of his age) in A CHAN[t]

Fellow curtly abandoning diocese and ecclesiastical groups (8)

CHAPTERS

Definition: ecclesiastical groups CHAP (fellow) + TERSELY less ELY (ecclesiastical see)

One caught entering square reprimanded, treated as trash? (11)

INCINERATED

Definition: treated as trash I C in NINE (square number) + RATED (reprimanded)

Being obsequious would put Mrs May off (6)

SMARMY

Definition: obsequious (MRS MAY)

Small room, not half brilliant for accommodating superior writer (7)

CUBICLE

Definition: Small room U (upper-class, superior) + BIC (pen, writer) in half of CLE[ver]

Renders Happy Birthday, say, with nicely introduced bumps (9)

SWELLINGS

Definition: bumps WELL (nicely) in SINGS

Untidy employees making a contribution to Warwickshire's coat of arms (6,5)

RAGGED STAFF

Definition: a contribution to Warwickshire's coat of arms RAGGED (untidy) + STAFF (employees). The coat of arms of Warwickshire features a bear chained to a ragged staff. Very weak clueing of the "ragged" part of the phrase, I'm afraid

Crowd is idle, wandering round, to be got going (9)

MOBILISED

Definition: got going MOB (crowd) + (IS IDLE)

Lacking special apparel, knight is thrown out, not admired (8)

UNADORED

Definition: not admired UNADORNED less N (knight, in chess)

What could play music in particular key, hard stuff (7)

ALTHORN

Definition: What could play music ALT (computer key) + HORN (hard stuff)

Towel I'd discarded, when lots of bits are dry (3,4)

LOW TIDE

Definition: when lots of bits are dry (TOWEL I'D)

Bit of paper stuck on yellow garment worn by some women (6)

CHADOR

Definition: garment worn by some women CHAD (piece of paper – remember the "hanging chads" of the 2000 US presidential elections) + OR (yellow)

Like school pupil sounding unrelaxed (4)

TAUT

Definition: unrelaxed Homophone of "taught" (like a pupil)

Fluid that stops part of intestine becoming drier (4,5)

BATH TOWEL

Definition: drier THAT* in BOWEL

Liberal taken in by Polish subterfuge (5)

BLUFF

Definition: subterfuge L in BUFF (to polish)

Copper knocking back a very soft drink (5)

CUPPA

Definition: drink CU (copper) + reverse of (A PP)

Esteemed sappers scanned in shed (9)

RESPECTED

Definition: Esteemed RE (Royal Engineers, sappers) + INSPECTED (scanned) with the IN "shed"

Suitable place for child's drink (3)

LAP

Definition: Suitable place for child Double definition

Case of student in East dogging revered Christian leader (2,9)

ST AUGUSTINE

Definition: Christian leader S[tuden]T IN E containing or "dogging"(to dog = to worry, plague or **infest**) AUGUST (revered)

Royal spouse, criminal type (7)

CONSORT

Definition: Royal spouse CON (criminal) + SORT

Pay them off, knowing how they feel (7)

EMPATHY

Definition: knowing how they feel (PAY THEM)

Begin to sparkle, as smoker might? (5,2)

LIGHT UP

Definition: Begin to sparkle Double definition

Cuts back gradually, limiting publicity for shows (7)

PARADES

Definition: shows AD (publicity) in PARES (cuts back gradually)

Company member initially gives hope of settlements (11)

COMPROMISES

Definition: settlements CO + M[ember] + PROMISES

In favour of US president sacking Democrat (3)

FOR

Definition: In favour [Gerald] FORD less D

Sound in the Orkneys? It's pervaded by beat, loud and deep (5,4)

SCAPA FLOW

Definition: Sound in the Orkneys CAP (to exceed or beat) in SA (sex appeal, "it") + F (loud) + LOW (deep). Scapa Flow was a naval base in World Wars 1 and 2.

Old American beans preserved thus? (5)

INCAN

Definition: Old American Beans are preserved IN a CAN

Child expert's son has scar (5)

SPOCK

Definition: Child expert S + POCK (mark – from which we get the old plural form "pox"). Benjamin Spock, aka Dr Spock, is famous for his 1946 book "Baby and Child Care"

Scavenging insect disturbed deer and shortly bolted (3-6)

DOR-BEETLE

Definition: Scavenging insect Anagram of DEER + BOLTE[D]. I spent some time trying to justify this as DOR + BEETLE[D], with beetle = to scurry or "bolt". The Dor – a new word for me – is a kind of dung beetle

No more leg on display at Wimbledon? (7)

TOPSPIN

Definition: display at Wimbledon TOPS (no more, as in "this crossword should take twenty minutes, tops") + PIN (leg)

Haulier and partner sort bananas (11)

TRANSPORTER

Definition: Haulier (PARTNER SORT)

Women's absolute authority (7)

WARRANT

Definition: authority W + ARRANT

Way hosts give pasta? (7)

LASAGNE

Definition: pasta SAG (to give) in (hosted by) LANE (way)

First of bells echoes buzzer (3)

BEE

Definition: buzzer B[ells] + E= Echo twice

Nancy's a fool, grasping double hook to straighten (7)

UNTWIST

Definition: to straighten UN (French "a", Nancy being the French city) + S (double hook) in TWIT (fool)

Aboard ferry on vacation I'd become restless (7)

FIDGETY

Definition: restless I'D GET (become) in F[err]Y

News media first raised matter Nutmeg's aiming to cover up (11)

SUPPRESSIVE

Definition: aiming to cover up Reverse of PUS + PRESS (news media) + I'VE (Nutmeg has)

Ravenous pests, many seen outside clubs regularly (7)

LOCUSTS

Definition: Ravenous pests Alternate letters of ClUbS in LOTS

A celebration after morning engaged in this country dance (7)

GAMBADO

Definition: dance A.M. in G[reat] B[ritain] + A DO (party, celebration). I knew this word from Katisha's line in *The Mikado*: "I'll spoil … your gay gambado" (to rhyme with "Mikado", though she doesn't get to say the word)

Spotted exploitative manager turning key (7)

PIMPLED

Definition: Spotted PIMP (exploitative manager) + reverse of DEL (computer key)

Job with gunners over when the fighting's ended (7)

POSTWAR

Definition: when the fighting's ended POST (job) + W[ith] + reverse of RA (Royal Artillery, gunners)

Shortfall bound to restrict Conservative leader, if mounting (7)

DEFICIT

Definition: Shortfall C + IF in TIED, all reversed

Funny line forgotten in gag (7)

STRANGE

Definition: Funny STRANGLE less L

A British flyer at sea (3)

AUK

Definition: flyer at sea A + UK

Cigarette covering to break away (5,3)

SPLIT OFF

Definition: break away TO in SPLIFF

Come from a stream back-to-front (6)

ARRIVE

Definition: Come A + RIVER with the last R moved to the front

About to get tax break (6)

RECESS

Definition: break RE (about) + CESS (tax – related to "assess" and "excise")

Seizing queen with kiss, her partner loses face (8)

ANNEXING

Definition: Seizing ANNE (queen) + X (kiss) + [K]ING

Female characters in the United Nations (4)

EDNA

Definition: Female Hidden "characters" in unitED NAtions

Flying in Hackney's hair-raising? (10)

AIRLIFTING

Definition: Flying in HAIR with a Cockney dropped H + LIFTING, and a nicely accurate definition

Twirling arms and moving leg to show affection (7)

SNUGGLE

Definition: to show affection Reverse of GUNS (arms) + LEG

Inauspicious literary work by Bill (7)

ADVERSE

Definition: Inauspicious AD (advert, bill) + VERSE (literary work)

Biblical event which is thought to be true (10)

ASSUMPTION

Definition: Biblical event Double definition; however the Assumption of Mary, which was adopted as a Catholic doctrine in 1950, is not described in the bible, except by some rather tortured exegesis

On which to sit, or stand nearly upright (4)

REAR

Definition: On which to sit Double definition: as a noun and then a verb (e.g. a rearing horse)

Soldier's bound to store paper in present place (4,4)

GIFT SHOP

Definition: present place FT (Financial Times) in GI'S HOP. A gift shop is a place to buy presents

DIY nut working without order (6)

UNTIDY

Definition: without order (DIY NUT)

Smelly plant leaves large on a fungus (6)

AGARIC

Definition: fungus A + GARLIC less L[arge]

Beginning to solicit, these people pick up farm workers (8)

SHEARERS

Definition: farm workers S[olicit] + HEARERS (people who "pick up")

Spear thrown over rocks to try new activities (6,4,5)

SPREAD ONE’S WINGS

Definition: to try new activities SPEAR* + DONE (over) + SWINGS (rocks). Not, as I suspected at first, an anagram of SPEAR THROWN OVER

Vigorously approve of crooks kidnapping French drunk (4,11)

LIKE GANGBUSTERS

Definition: Vigorously LIKE (approve of) + BU (French for "drunk" – past participle of "boire", as in *j'ai bu du vin*). Although I was familiar with this expression, I didn't know that it came from an American radio programme that ran from 1936 to 1957.

Rubbish records about love by Wham! (10)

CODSWALLOP

Definition: Rubbish O (love) in CDS + WALLOP (to "wham")

Flings with a couple of fellows affected behaviour (7)

AFFAIRS

Definition: Flings ~~F F in AIRS~~ *Thanks to Grantinfreo for pointing out that this should be A + F F + AIRS

Women clad in cooler colour (4)

FAWN

Definition: colour W in FAN

Politician Brits execrate violently online (6,9)

BREXIT SECRETARY

Definition: Politician (BRITS EXECRATE)* + RY (line), with an &littish surface. The least said about the holders of this office (officially Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union) the better, if you ask me.

Paper that's still popular and good quality (7,8)

EVENING STANDARD

Definition: Paper EVEN (still) + IN (popular) + G[ood] + STANDARD (quality). The Standard is a London evening paper, now given out free at stations etc, and edited by former Chancellor George Osborne

Agreements to work wearing prostheses (10)

INDENTURES

Definition: Agreements to work If you have prosthetic teeth you could be said to be IN DENTURES

Feeble desire to capture little monkey (7)

WIMPISH

Definition: Feeble IMP (mischievous child, little monkey) in WISH

A white pawn (4)

HOCK

Definition: A white Double definition; a white wine, and to pawn (as in pawnbroker). A very neat one to finish.

Remote location in loop, might you say? (9)

BACKWATER

Definition: Remote location Reversing "loop" gives us "pool", so it's "BACK WATER"

Piece, central to, or on the far side of, banner (5)

QUEEN

Definition: Piece The word "banner" has ANNE in the middle and ER at the end: both queens