0xharib/xword2 · Datasets at Hugging Face

Clue stringlengths 6 133	Answer stringlengths 3 46	Explanation stringlengths 5 888
Time of special power, perhaps, in recollection of deviant criminal (9)	DESPERADO	Definition: criminal ESP ERA ("time of special power") in reverse of ODD
Time has no beginning — whoops! (3)	EEK	Definition: whoops [W]EEK
Pair seen in Texas, perhaps — unqualified drug dealers? (6,5)	COWBOY BOOTS	Definition: Pair seen in Texas, perhaps COWBOY (unqualified, as in cowboy builders) + BOOTS (chemists, drug dealers)
Aim to impress girl in skin-treatment establishment (7)	TANNERY	Definition: skin-treatment establishment ANNE "impressed by" TRY (aim). A shame we had a reference to ANNE so close to this in 9
To spare a net breaking, fold round it (7)	APLENTY	Definition: To spare A + NET* in PLY
Fur tops taken off, freeze (5,2)	FROST UP	Definition: freeze (FUR TOPS)
Pompous type, why the overweight appearance? (7,5)	STUFFED SHIRT	Definition: Pompous type Havig a stuffed shirt might give you an overweight appearance
Is one's engagement a head-turner? (7,4)	REVERSE GEAR	Definition: Is one's engagement a head-turner Cryptic definition: you might have to turn your head when reversing, i.e. after engaging reverse gear
Be in charge of career (3)	RUN	Definition: Be in charge of Double definition
Canvas items. I say, with salts at sea (9)	STAYSAILS	Definition: Canvas items (I SAY SALTS)
Shame only valuable on the surface, we hear? (5)	GUILT	Definition: Shame Homophone of "gilt" (covered in gold, so only valuable on the surface – depending on what's underneath, of course)
Turn out, on being missed by team (5)	EVERT	Definition: Turn out EVERTON (football team) less ON
After conversion, 1 x 500 turned into currency (9)	MONETISED	Definition: turned into currency Anagram of ONE TIMES D
One's left foot in bathtub, ask to remove right (7)	BEQUEST	Definition: One's left Last letter or "foot" ot bathtuB + [R]EQUEST
Read aloud Prague's hotel register? (5,2)	CHECK IN	Definition: register Homophone of "Czech inn"
Cold in head spreading in January, perhaps — something needed to keep warm? (11)	WINDCHEATER	Definition: something needed to keep warm C in HEAD*, all in WINTER (January, perhaps). Windcheater was what we called anorak-type jackets when I were a lad, but I don't think the word is used much nowadays
Moisture beneath one in river channel (7)	TIDEWAY	Definition: channel I + DEW in TAY
Rash came up on legs and heads (7)	ROSEOLA	Definition: Rash ROSE (came up) + first letters of On Legs And
Novel abandoned, unfinished (3)	SHE	Definition: Novel SHE[D] – novel by H Rider Haggard
American English lacking in proposal, zilch in shorthand? (7)	IDAHOAN	Definition: American IDEA (proposal) less E + 0 in HAN[D]
Wrong coming up with blue for red (7)	TROTSKY	Definition: red Reverse of TORT (a civil wrong) + SKY (blue)
Place throw vertically over fitting, very straight (4,7)	BOLT UPRIGHT	Definition: very straight Reverse of PUT LOB (place throw) + RIGHT (fitting)
Expect number and letter on the phone? (7)	FORESEE	Definition: Expect Homophone of "four C"
Do away with cracks above it (7)	OBVIATE	Definition: Do away (ABOVE IT)
Excellent injecting iodine in the months of pregnancy? (7)	PREMIUM	Definition: Excellent I in PRE-MUM (as a pregnant woman might be described)
Hat collections being worn, including first of trilbies (7)	STETSON	Definition: Hat T[rilbies] in SETS ON (collections being worn)
Time of life devoted to bonding? (7)	FORTIES	Definition: Time of life FOR TIES
Loading heavy weight up, something to sign, marked (7)	DENOTED	Definition: marked Reverse of TON in DEED (legal document, something to sign)
Appearing in dungarees, Italian model (3)	SIT	Definition: model Hidden in dungareeS ITalian
Hated to move on to improvised way of settling match (6,5)	SUDDEN DEATH	Definition: way of settling match SUDDEN (improvised) + HATED. I'm not totally sure how sudden=improvised, but Chambers gives it
These incursions not cross-country? (7)	INROADS	Definition: incursions Cryptic definition
Boards' arrangement of vessel to drink (7)	SHIPLAP	Definition: Boards' arrangement SHIP (vessel) + LAP (to drink). Shiplap is a type of board used for cladding houses etc
One can't be forced to work (9)	VOLUNTEER	Definition: One can't be forced to work Cryptic definition
A fighter's old friend (5)	AMIGO	Definition: friend A + MIG (fighter plane) + O
Could it make a lamb joint stretch? (4)	RACK	Definition: lamb joint Double/cryptic definition, referring to the dish "rack of lamb" and the torture device
Such as would suit you down to the ground? Only half (4-6)	KNEE-LENGTH	Definition: Such as would suit you down to the ground? Only half Cryptic definition
Evening game (10)	EQUALISING	Definition: Evening game Cryptic definition of "making the game even"
Conflict taking month to heat up (4)	WARM	Definition: to heat up WAR + M
A bit of love, no more malice (5)	VENOM	Definition: malice Hidden in loVE NO More
Sort of rule you can't look up? (9)	UNWRITTEN	Definition: Sort of rule you can't look up Cryptic definition
Make a fuss about mass way to dispose of bodies (7)	CREMATE	Definition: way to dispose of bodies M[ass] in CREATE (make a fuss), with a grammatical inaccuracy in the definition: a *way to dispose of bodies would be "cremation" or "cremating"
It's only a tiny bit of work (7)	EXCERPT	Definition: It's only a tiny bit of work Yet another CD, though surely an excerpt doesn't have to be tiny
Lovers share tweets when travelling (11)	SWEETHEARTS	Definition: Lovers (SHARE TWEETS)
Cast assuring silence for leading actor (3,4,8)	SIR ALEC GUINNESS	Definition: leading actor (ASSURING SILENCE)
Pictured as tense (5)	DRAWN	Definition: Pictured Double definition
From one direction, point to the back of the ship (7)	EASTERN	Definition: From one direction E (compass point) + ASTERN (to the back of a ship)
Long for European girl (7)	DESIREE	Definition: girl DESIRE + E
Worried by area — see it secured all round (8)	AGITATED	Definition: Worried A[rea] + IT in GATED
They have you going in circles around the airport (7,8)	HOLDING PATTERNS	Definition: They have you going in circles around the airport Cryptic definition
Cutlery and a set of plates one may have at a banquet (6,7)	SILVER SERVICE	Definition: one may have at a banquet SILVER (cutlery) + SERVICE (set of plates, as in tea service)
The latest is the responsibility of very small people (2,2,3,6)	UP TO THE MINUTE	Definition: The latest UP TO (the responsibility of) + THE MINUTE (very small people)
Something for tea brought by pack mule (4,4)	PLUM CAKE	Definition: Something for tea (PACK MULE)
Most peevish, so you say 'relax' (7)	SOUREST	Definition: Most peevish SO + U ("you") + REST (relax)
Two presents can't be found? (7)	NOWHERE	Definition: can't be found NOW + HERE (two kinds of "present")
Be liable for where a dog's dinner's gone? (5)	INCUR	Definition: Be liable for The dog's dinner is IN [the] CUR
Peter, initially Simon, a symbol suggesting strength? (4)	SAFE	Definition: Peter S[imon] + A + FE (chemical symbol for iron, which suggests strength). Peter is slang for a safe.
Factor causing mental pressure and some distress, ordinarily (8)	STRESSOR	Definition: Factor causing mental pressure Hidden in diSTRESS ORdinarily
Torturer's instrument causing confusion, reversal of volition, and damaged skin (10)	PILLIWINKS	Definition: Torturer's instrument PI (confusion) + reverse of WILL + SKIN* – it's a kind of thumbscrew
Sabbath relaxation, socially acceptable in lax rev (4)	ERUV	Definition: Sabbath relaxation U (socially acceptable) in REV
Highland search trapping adult falcon (5)	SAKER	Definition: falcon A[dult] in SKER – see 29a for a strange duplication
Questionable reading (hasty perhaps), an oath, not dialectal (9)	CURSENARY	Definition: Questionable reading (hasty perhaps) CURSE (oath) + NARY (not, in dialect) – cursenary (also seen as cursorary) is a questionable word in the original of Henry V, possibly intended to be "cursitory"="cursory"="hasty"
Layer of e.g. bridge foundation, mass one encased in teak maybe (6)	TREMIE	Definition: Layer of e.g. bridge foundation M 1 in TREE. A tremie lays – i.e. is a layer of – concrete
Fried meat dish, last piece dropped in large tub (4)	KIEV	Definition: Fried meat dish KIEVE (a large tub) minus its last letter
Balloon: one rotates up in the air (8)	AEROSTAT	Definition: Balloon A + ROTATES
Obstacles to troop movement, see, as of old including snare (8)	CALTRAPS	Definition: Obstacles to troop movement C + TRAP in ALS (old form of "as")
A bit of a chanteuse, performing turn? I'm still active (4)	ETNA	Definition: I'm still active Hidden in reverse of chANTEuse. Mount Etna last erupted in December 2018
From church one hears chapels where mass is sung (9)	CHANTRIES	Definition: chapels where mass is sung CH + AN + TRIES (hears, as in court)
Old, I'll get help reversing fungal stages (5)	OIDIA	Definition: fungal stages O + I + reverse of AID
Dogs bringing up rear in Scottish hunt (4)	SCUR	Definition: Scottish hunt CURS with the last letter moved to the front. This is a variant of SKER, as used in 13a
Former generation under regent mostly maltreated (10)	ENGENDRURE	Definition: Former generation Anagram of (UNDER REGEN[T])
Ranks, first off, catching steamer departures (8)	EGRESSES	Definition: departures SS (steamer) in [D]EGREES
Investigator about end of trail disappeared (4)	FLED	Definition: disappeared [trai]L in FED (federal agent)
Watch muscle, getting into condition (8)	SPECTATE	Definition: Watch PEC in STATE
Like jet engine, an article after breaking barrier mostly (12)	AIR‑BREATHING	Definition: Like jet engine Anagram of BARRIE[R] + THING (article)
Terribly restful members of the wind section (7)	FLUTERS	Definition: members of the wind section RESTFUL
Woman in old dress causing old-fashioned look (5)	TWIRE	Definition: old-fashioned look W in TIRE (old form of "attire")
Old Norwegian manuscript turning up, penned by 'Karl', I translated (7)	RIKSMÅL	Definition: Old Norwegian Reverse of MS in (KARL I)*. It's a written form of the Norwegian language, mostly superseded (as I understand it) by Bokmål
The old follow European directions (a full set) (5)	ENSEW	Definition: The old follow E + NSEW (all four of the cardinal points of the compass) – old form of "ensue" (follow)
One accompanying king in blue, dirty and unattractive (6)	SKANKY	Definition: dirty and unattractive AN + K in SKY
Too much publicity proves roué deviously circling former partner (12)	OVEREXPOSURE	Definition: Too much publicity EX in (PROVES ROUE)
Best on the pitch from international club? No thanks (4)	RORY	Definition: Best on the pitch ROTARY (club) less TA. Rory Best is a Rugby player from Northern Ireland, apparently not related to the footballer George
Once dressed in suit I've changed I twice discarded colour (8)	VESTURED	Definition: Once dressed Anagram of SUIT I'VE, less both "I"s + RED
Start of trouble with damaged Sierra causing delays (7)	TARRIES	Definition: delays T + SIERRA
Scots miser, one copper brought in, sheepish creature (7)	CARACUL	Definition: sheepish creature A CU in CARL (Scots miser)
Made rapid progress in English, regarding part of tongue (6)	RANINE	Definition: regarding part of tongue RAN IN E
Damage to these? Road test may reveal that (6)	TREADS	Definition: these Composite anagram &lit: ROAD TEST is an anagram of TO TREADS
Dogs or deer (but not hens?) (5)	STAGS	Definition: Dogs Triple definition – the first is from "to follow,dog, shadow", though I suspect this comes from deer-stalking, making it rather close to the second definition; the third is from stag and hen parties
It often accompanies steak, one served in feast? (5)	DIANE	Definition: It often accompanies steak A in DINE, referring to the dish Steak Diane, described by Wikipedia as having become "retro"
Manage local exchange (4)	COPE	Definition: Manage Double definition – to manage, and a dialect word for "to barter or exchange"
They have become rich, goals being corrupted? (9)	OLIGARCHS	Definition: They have become rich, goals being corrupted (RICH GOALS)* – the first of two "anagram &lit" clues in the puzzle, where the whole clue gives the definition
As which, Othello is less hard (5)	OPERA	Definition: As which, Othello is less hard Verdi's opera based on the Shakespeare play is Otello, with no H (Hard)
Criticise bad service (5)	FAULT	Definition: Criticise Double definition (the bad service is in tennis)
One of OT people in one location holding unfortunate king back (9)	ISRAELITE	Definition: One of OT people Reverse of [King] LEAR in 1 SITE
Exploited, moving ahead — going west, then north (5,2)	DRAWN ON	Definition: Exploited ONWARD "going west", or reversed, plus N
Line in book subject to typo, for example (7)	BLUNDER	Definition: typo, for example L in B + UNDER (subject to)
20 Method for solving equivalent of 27 + 25 or 26 + 21 (5,3,5)	TRIAL AND ERROR	Definition: Method for solving 27+25 and 26+21 are TEST+SLIP and PILOT+MISTAKE, both of which are kinds of TRIAL AND ERROR
Silly makes it (7)	MISTAKE	Definition: Silly makes it (MAKES IT)* – another anagram &lit
Speech Horatio Nelson cut short at both ends (7)	ORATION	Definition: Speech Hidden in hORATIO Nelson
Cheap alternative to gold ring for group of players (5,4)	BRASS BAND	Definition: group of players Double definition
Fly back to edge (5)	PILOT	Definition: Fly Reverse of TO LIP

Time of special power, perhaps, in recollection of deviant criminal (9)

DESPERADO

Definition: criminal ESP ERA ("time of special power") in reverse of ODD

Time has no beginning — whoops! (3)

EEK

Definition: whoops [W]EEK

Pair seen in Texas, perhaps — unqualified drug dealers? (6,5)

COWBOY BOOTS

Definition: Pair seen in Texas, perhaps COWBOY (unqualified, as in cowboy builders) + BOOTS (chemists, drug dealers)

Aim to impress girl in skin-treatment establishment (7)

TANNERY

Definition: skin-treatment establishment ANNE "impressed by" TRY (aim). A shame we had a reference to ANNE so close to this in 9

To spare a net breaking, fold round it (7)

APLENTY

Definition: To spare A + NET* in PLY

Fur tops taken off, freeze (5,2)

FROST UP

Definition: freeze (FUR TOPS)

Pompous type, why the overweight appearance? (7,5)

STUFFED SHIRT

Definition: Pompous type Havig a stuffed shirt might give you an overweight appearance

Is one's engagement a head-turner? (7,4)

REVERSE GEAR

Definition: Is one's engagement a head-turner Cryptic definition: you might have to turn your head when reversing, i.e. after engaging reverse gear

Be in charge of career (3)

RUN

Definition: Be in charge of Double definition

Canvas items. I say, with salts at sea (9)

STAYSAILS

Definition: Canvas items (I SAY SALTS)

Shame only valuable on the surface, we hear? (5)

GUILT

Definition: Shame Homophone of "gilt" (covered in gold, so only valuable on the surface – depending on what's underneath, of course)

Turn out, on being missed by team (5)

EVERT

Definition: Turn out EVERTON (football team) less ON

After conversion, 1 x 500 turned into currency (9)

MONETISED

Definition: turned into currency Anagram of ONE TIMES D

One's left foot in bathtub, ask to remove right (7)

BEQUEST

Definition: One's left Last letter or "foot" ot bathtuB + [R]EQUEST

Read aloud Prague's hotel register? (5,2)

CHECK IN

Definition: register Homophone of "Czech inn"

Cold in head spreading in January, perhaps — something needed to keep warm? (11)

WINDCHEATER

Definition: something needed to keep warm C in HEAD*, all in WINTER (January, perhaps). Windcheater was what we called anorak-type jackets when I were a lad, but I don't think the word is used much nowadays

Moisture beneath one in river channel (7)

TIDEWAY

Definition: channel I + DEW in TAY

Rash came up on legs and heads (7)

ROSEOLA

Definition: Rash ROSE (came up) + first letters of On Legs And

Novel abandoned, unfinished (3)

SHE

Definition: Novel SHE[D] – novel by H Rider Haggard

American English lacking in proposal, zilch in shorthand? (7)

IDAHOAN

Definition: American IDEA (proposal) less E + 0 in HAN[D]

Wrong coming up with blue for red (7)

TROTSKY

Definition: red Reverse of TORT (a civil wrong) + SKY (blue)

Place throw vertically over fitting, very straight (4,7)

BOLT UPRIGHT

Definition: very straight Reverse of PUT LOB (place throw) + RIGHT (fitting)

Expect number and letter on the phone? (7)

FORESEE

Definition: Expect Homophone of "four C"

Do away with cracks above it (7)

OBVIATE

Definition: Do away (ABOVE IT)

Excellent injecting iodine in the months of pregnancy? (7)

PREMIUM

Definition: Excellent I in PRE-MUM (as a pregnant woman might be described)

Hat collections being worn, including first of trilbies (7)

STETSON

Definition: Hat T[rilbies] in SETS ON (collections being worn)

Time of life devoted to bonding? (7)

FORTIES

Definition: Time of life FOR TIES

Loading heavy weight up, something to sign, marked (7)

DENOTED

Definition: marked Reverse of TON in DEED (legal document, something to sign)

Appearing in dungarees, Italian model (3)

SIT

Definition: model Hidden in dungareeS ITalian

Hated to move on to improvised way of settling match (6,5)

SUDDEN DEATH

Definition: way of settling match SUDDEN (improvised) + HATED. I'm not totally sure how sudden=improvised, but Chambers gives it

These incursions not cross-country? (7)

INROADS

Definition: incursions Cryptic definition

Boards' arrangement of vessel to drink (7)

SHIPLAP

Definition: Boards' arrangement SHIP (vessel) + LAP (to drink). Shiplap is a type of board used for cladding houses etc

One can't be forced to work (9)

VOLUNTEER

Definition: One can't be forced to work Cryptic definition

A fighter's old friend (5)

AMIGO

Definition: friend A + MIG (fighter plane) + O

Could it make a lamb joint stretch? (4)

RACK

Definition: lamb joint Double/cryptic definition, referring to the dish "rack of lamb" and the torture device

Such as would suit you down to the ground? Only half (4-6)

KNEE-LENGTH

Definition: Such as would suit you down to the ground? Only half Cryptic definition

Evening game (10)

EQUALISING

Definition: Evening game Cryptic definition of "making the game even"

Conflict taking month to heat up (4)

WARM

Definition: to heat up WAR + M

A bit of love, no more malice (5)

VENOM

Definition: malice Hidden in loVE NO More

Sort of rule you can't look up? (9)

UNWRITTEN

Definition: Sort of rule you can't look up Cryptic definition

Make a fuss about mass way to dispose of bodies (7)

CREMATE

Definition: way to dispose of bodies M[ass] in CREATE (make a fuss), with a grammatical inaccuracy in the definition: a *way to dispose of bodies would be "cremation" or "cremating"

It's only a tiny bit of work (7)

EXCERPT

Definition: It's only a tiny bit of work Yet another CD, though surely an excerpt doesn't have to be tiny

Lovers share tweets when travelling (11)

SWEETHEARTS

Definition: Lovers (SHARE TWEETS)

Cast assuring silence for leading actor (3,4,8)

SIR ALEC GUINNESS

Definition: leading actor (ASSURING SILENCE)

Pictured as tense (5)

DRAWN

Definition: Pictured Double definition

From one direction, point to the back of the ship (7)

EASTERN

Definition: From one direction E (compass point) + ASTERN (to the back of a ship)

Long for European girl (7)

DESIREE

Definition: girl DESIRE + E

Worried by area — see it secured all round (8)

AGITATED

Definition: Worried A[rea] + IT in GATED

They have you going in circles around the airport (7,8)

HOLDING PATTERNS

Definition: They have you going in circles around the airport Cryptic definition

Cutlery and a set of plates one may have at a banquet (6,7)

SILVER SERVICE

Definition: one may have at a banquet SILVER (cutlery) + SERVICE (set of plates, as in tea service)

The latest is the responsibility of very small people (2,2,3,6)

UP TO THE MINUTE

Definition: The latest UP TO (the responsibility of) + THE MINUTE (very small people)

Something for tea brought by pack mule (4,4)

PLUM CAKE

Definition: Something for tea (PACK MULE)

Most peevish, so you say 'relax' (7)

SOUREST

Definition: Most peevish SO + U ("you") + REST (relax)

Two presents can't be found? (7)

NOWHERE

Definition: can't be found NOW + HERE (two kinds of "present")

Be liable for where a dog's dinner's gone? (5)

INCUR

Definition: Be liable for The dog's dinner is IN [the] CUR

Peter, initially Simon, a symbol suggesting strength? (4)

SAFE

Definition: Peter S[imon] + A + FE (chemical symbol for iron, which suggests strength). Peter is slang for a safe.

Factor causing mental pressure and some distress, ordinarily (8)

STRESSOR

Definition: Factor causing mental pressure Hidden in diSTRESS ORdinarily

Torturer's instrument causing confusion, reversal of volition, and damaged skin (10)

PILLIWINKS

Definition: Torturer's instrument PI (confusion) + reverse of WILL + SKIN* – it's a kind of thumbscrew

Sabbath relaxation, socially acceptable in lax rev (4)

ERUV

Definition: Sabbath relaxation U (socially acceptable) in REV

Highland search trapping adult falcon (5)

SAKER

Definition: falcon A[dult] in SKER – see 29a for a strange duplication

Questionable reading (hasty perhaps), an oath, not dialectal (9)

CURSENARY

Definition: Questionable reading (hasty perhaps) CURSE (oath) + NARY (not, in dialect) – cursenary (also seen as cursorary) is a questionable word in the original of *Henry V*, possibly intended to be "cursitory"="cursory"="hasty"

Layer of e.g. bridge foundation, mass one encased in teak maybe (6)

TREMIE

Definition: Layer of e.g. bridge foundation M 1 in TREE. A tremie lays – i.e. is a layer of – concrete

Fried meat dish, last piece dropped in large tub (4)

KIEV

Definition: Fried meat dish KIEVE (a large tub) minus its last letter

Balloon: one rotates up in the air (8)

AEROSTAT

Definition: Balloon A + ROTATES

Obstacles to troop movement, see, as of old including snare (8)

CALTRAPS

Definition: Obstacles to troop movement C + TRAP in ALS (old form of "as")

A bit of a chanteuse, performing turn? I'm still active (4)

ETNA

Definition: I'm still active Hidden in reverse of chANTEuse. Mount Etna last erupted in December 2018

From church one hears chapels where mass is sung (9)

CHANTRIES

Definition: chapels where mass is sung CH + AN + TRIES (hears, as in court)

Old, I'll get help reversing fungal stages (5)

OIDIA

Definition: fungal stages O + I + reverse of AID

Dogs bringing up rear in Scottish hunt (4)

SCUR

Definition: Scottish hunt CURS with the last letter moved to the front. This is a variant of SKER, as used in 13a

Former generation under regent mostly maltreated (10)

ENGENDRURE

Definition: Former generation Anagram of (UNDER REGEN[T])

Ranks, first off, catching steamer departures (8)

EGRESSES

Definition: departures SS (steamer) in [D]EGREES

Investigator about end of trail disappeared (4)

FLED

Definition: disappeared [trai]L in FED (federal agent)

Watch muscle, getting into condition (8)

SPECTATE

Definition: Watch PEC in STATE

Like jet engine, an article after breaking barrier mostly (12)

AIR‑BREATHING

Definition: Like jet engine Anagram of BARRIE[R] + THING (article)

Terribly restful members of the wind section (7)

FLUTERS

Definition: members of the wind section RESTFUL

Woman in old dress causing old-fashioned look (5)

TWIRE

Definition: old-fashioned look W in TIRE (old form of "attire")

Old Norwegian manuscript turning up, penned by 'Karl', I translated (7)

RIKSMÅL

Definition: Old Norwegian Reverse of MS in (KARL I)*. It's a written form of the Norwegian language, mostly superseded (as I understand it) by Bokmål

The old follow European directions (a full set) (5)

ENSEW

Definition: The old follow E + NSEW (all four of the cardinal points of the compass) – old form of "ensue" (follow)

One accompanying king in blue, dirty and unattractive (6)

SKANKY

Definition: dirty and unattractive AN + K in SKY

Too much publicity proves roué deviously circling former partner (12)

OVEREXPOSURE

Definition: Too much publicity EX in (PROVES ROUE)

Best on the pitch from international club? No thanks (4)

RORY

Definition: Best on the pitch ROTARY (club) less TA. Rory Best is a Rugby player from Northern Ireland, apparently not related to the footballer George

Once dressed in suit I've changed I twice discarded colour (8)

VESTURED

Definition: Once dressed Anagram of SUIT I'VE, less both "I"s + RED

Start of trouble with damaged Sierra causing delays (7)

TARRIES

Definition: delays T + SIERRA

Scots miser, one copper brought in, sheepish creature (7)

CARACUL

Definition: sheepish creature A CU in CARL (Scots miser)

Made rapid progress in English, regarding part of tongue (6)

RANINE

Definition: regarding part of tongue RAN IN E

Damage to these? Road test may reveal that (6)

TREADS

Definition: these Composite anagram &lit: ROAD TEST is an anagram of TO TREADS

Dogs or deer (but not hens?) (5)

STAGS

Definition: Dogs Triple definition – the first is from "to follow,dog, shadow", though I suspect this comes from deer-stalking, making it rather close to the second definition; the third is from stag and hen parties

It often accompanies steak, one served in feast? (5)

DIANE

Definition: It often accompanies steak A in DINE, referring to the dish Steak Diane, described by Wikipedia as having become "retro"

Manage local exchange (4)

COPE

Definition: Manage Double definition – to manage, and a dialect word for "to barter or exchange"

They have become rich, goals being corrupted? (9)

OLIGARCHS

Definition: They have become rich, goals being corrupted (RICH GOALS)* – the first of two "anagram &lit" clues in the puzzle, where the whole clue gives the definition

As which, Othello is less hard (5)

OPERA

Definition: As which, Othello is less hard Verdi's opera based on the Shakespeare play is *Otello*, with no H (Hard)

Criticise bad service (5)

FAULT

Definition: Criticise Double definition (the bad service is in tennis)

One of OT people in one location holding unfortunate king back (9)

ISRAELITE

Definition: One of OT people Reverse of [King] LEAR in 1 SITE

Exploited, moving ahead — going west, then north (5,2)

DRAWN ON

Definition: Exploited ONWARD "going west", or reversed, plus N

Line in book subject to typo, for example (7)

BLUNDER

Definition: typo, for example L in B + UNDER (subject to)

20 Method for solving equivalent of 27 + 25 or 26 + 21 (5,3,5)

TRIAL AND ERROR

Definition: Method for solving 27+25 and 26+21 are TEST+SLIP and PILOT+MISTAKE, both of which are kinds of TRIAL AND ERROR

Silly makes it (7)

MISTAKE

Definition: Silly makes it (MAKES IT)* – another anagram &lit

Speech Horatio Nelson cut short at both ends (7)

ORATION

Definition: Speech Hidden in hORATIO Nelson

Cheap alternative to gold ring for group of players (5,4)

BRASS BAND

Definition: group of players Double definition

Fly back to edge (5)

PILOT

Definition: Fly Reverse of TO LIP