Listener Crossword 4710: Solution Notes
Surprised by Sabre
Puzzle explanation
The extra letters inserted in across entries spelt “reverse downs” and down answers were entered upwards. The puzzle’s title hinted at “taken aback”.
UPDATE: A software bug caused an error in the published solution grid, having two extra bars. The correct grid is shown here.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Across | |
| TROT | TOT around R |
| ARSINES | IN in ARSES |
| COMBER | COMBE + R |
| HOUR | H + FOUR − F |
| AMBLYOPSIS | A + M + POSSIBLY * |
| DIDICOY | DID + I + COY |
| ONST | TONS with letters cycled |
| MYTHOI | MY + THO’ + I |
| REACT | RE + CAT * |
| MAERL | MARL around E(dible) |
| DROPS | (homophone of ARE) in DOPS |
| ASKED | (ASKEW + D) − W |
| BALLSY | BUSY with ALL for U |
| MEER | ER after ME |
| RABBITS | R + BIT in ABS |
| PEACH-BLOOM | (B(reathe) L(oudly)) in (PE + A + CHOOM) |
| GIRN | R(adishes) in GIN |
| ORACHE | OR + ACHE |
| AWFULLY | AWAY with FULL for (Be)A(ujolais) |
| UNST | (sh)UNS T(ourist) |
| Down | |
| REDACT | RED + ACT |
| REVIVOR | REV + IVOR(y) |
| TIBET | TIT around BE |
| MELBA | (ABLE + M) < |
| SANTOORS | ROOT < in SANS |
| HYPER | (s)HY PER(iodically) |
| KAROSHI | (A + RISK + H + O) * |
| TREE ONION | (ORIENT ONE) * |
| ISSUE | I’S + SUE |
| LATERS | (c)L(e)A(n) T(h)E (b)R(a)S(s) |
| FREEBOARD | BEFORE * + ARD |
| LOCALITY | SEAL − SEA + LIT in (O’ +CAY) |
| UNWRAPS | (SPAR + W + NU) < |
| SHOOTER | (a)S(sassins) (ie letter with 5 occurrences) + HOOTER |
| AGAMID | AMID around (G(ran’s) A(larm)) |
| TEMSED | ITEMISED − I − I |
| WIPED | SWIPED − S |
| SNARL | (RAN + S(chubert)) < + L |
| YABBY | YAY around BB |
| UNLIT | UNIT around L |