Listener Crossword 4320: Solution Notes
Shrive by Llig
Puzzle explanation
The pairs of letters omitted in wordplay comprise the series AZ, BY, CX, ..., MN. The puzzle’s title consists of three of these pairs.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Definition | Answer (unclued letters) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | |||
| 1 | PLUS | PLUSH − H | |
| 5 | 33ac Weaver | (J)AC(Q)UARD | U in (A + CARD) |
| 11 | 5ac Suppose | E(X)PE(C)T | PE in ET |
| 12 | 20ac Slightly wet | H(U)MI(F)Y | HMI + Y |
| 13 | AXER | A + REX < | |
| 14 | STEAK | SKATE* | |
| 17 | NILOTES | (SET LION)* | |
| 18 | STEER | (SEE + R) around T(est) | |
| 20 | 1dn display | PA(G)EAN(T) | PAEAN |
| 22 | 25dn Base of trunk | P(E)L(V)IS | PLIÉS − (sho)E |
| 23 | ASCENDS | (DESCANT with S for T)* | |
| 26 | UNDERWENT | (UNDER + T) around WEN | |
| 30 | TREETOP | (TT + OP) around REE | |
| 32 | 43ac Put back in can | RE(M)A(N)D | A in RED |
| 33 | 16dn Casts off | (D)ISO(W)NS | IS + ON + S |
| 36 | SNAGS | S(tumbles) + NAGS | |
| 38 | LOWBROW | LOW + BROW | |
| 39 | BASTO | BA’S + TO | |
| 41 | OCTA | ((comb)AT CO(rps)) < | |
| 42 | 12ac not in regions | A(Z)ON(A)L | A + ON + L |
| 43 | 11ac Force | T(H)RU(S)T | RUT after T(in) |
| 44 | GREENEYE | GREEN + EYE | |
| 45 | TIED | DIET* | |
| Down | |||
| 1 | 32ac Bulb container | P(L)ANT-P(O)T | (ANT + P) in PT |
| 2 | LEXIS | EX- after L(istener) + IS | |
| 3 | SPROG | (Rake’)S PROG(ress) | |
| 4 | CESTOID | (IT CODES)* | |
| 6 | ATE | AT + E | |
| 7 | CHARAS | 2 meanings; (A CRASH)* | |
| 8 | UMPTEEN | ’UMP + TEE + N | |
| 9 | AÎNÉ | A(dministrator) + IN + (écol)E | |
| 10 | DYER | RED < around (calumn)Y | |
| 15 | TERSE | STEER* | |
| 16 | 22ac Flexible | (B)END(Y) | (payloa)D after EN |
| 19 | BLUES | SUBTLE* − ’T | |
| 20 | PARPS | PAR + PS | |
| 21 | ANTAS | A(mericas) in ANTS | |
| 24 | 42ac On edge | S(I)DEWA(R)D | SAD around DEW |
| 25 | 24dn groom | (P)RIN(K) | IN after R |
| 27 | NEOGENE | ONE* + GENE | |
| 28 | WROOT | (OR TWO)* | |
| 29 | EELWORM | (M’ + ROW + LEE) < | |
| 31 | ON SALE | ((Neuchât)EL A SNO(wmobile)) < | |
| 34 | ABOUT | A + BOUT | |
| 35 | MOTTE | TOTEM* | |
| 36 | SWAG | WAGES* − E | |
| 37 | ALOE | O(bes)E after AL(l) | |
| 40 | STY | S(herpas) T(aught) Y(ou) | |