The BIG crossword

ACROSS 9 The proper wine for a lady (8) 10 A very good-sounding dessert (3) 11 Weaken and look after the little rascal (6)

12 It’s frozen fish the doctor caught (6)

13 Given a tip, say, to nominate (7) 14 Stand down, having retired, and I get in (4)

15 Apply to modern-day member of the government (10)

17 Are they worn by someone who is poor but happy? (4,4) 18 Argued one should see the cricketer in action (7) 19 “Capital” is “big,” see (4) 21 Gathers it’s the answer to a leg-break (6)

24 Being unscrupulous, but having no staying power (8,2,7)

27 Are attached to, though had come loose before (6) 29 Happening to have left the T out of “flat” (4)

30 Talks about the right food for vegetarians to eat (7) 33 Agrees with – the joint has a simple fracture (8)

35 Found minus its dust jacket? (10) 36 Criticises the return game (4) 37 Ramble on about a repairman (7) 38 Did leave unfinished, not thinking much about food (6) 40 Confine to a half of bitter in the pub (6)

41 With a female, talking money (3) 42 Guff from the punters? (8) DOWN 1 Like unjustified claims to be a landowner? (10)

2 Among a thousand, four hundred and ninety-nine (4) 3 Unusually fair to myself, temporarily (3,1,4)

4 Leaves half the side pieces (7) 5 Watching golf while you’re being shown over (6,5)

6 First to go into the drink, is frantic (10)

7 The creature returns again when one turns the lights down (6) 8 Continuing to exist, being supported by (6,2)

10 He plays for Philip and the Queen (5)

16 Suppose a mine goes off when the soldier enters it (7) 20 Small, trim and thin (5)

22 The incident of the pie throwing does seem very funny (7)

23 Is given to believe one empathises with (11) 25 Remember to confine to the home and to look after (4,2,4) 26 When it speeds up will, you understand, wobble (7,3)

28 On the way back, confessing to killing (8)

31 Lengthen for the page on tractor assembly (8)

32 That the car is faulty, be going to attribute to (7)

34 Burst it and ran off (6)

35 To avoid the odd bust up, for instance (5)

39 Nothing but a bird (4)