The BIG crossword

ACROSS

9 Some came round to give a hand – honestly (2,4,2)

10 The gentleman father cut short (3) 11 A signal to abandon (6) 12 She’s a no-good, knocking back drink (6)

13 Silence on the radio or the funeral march? (4,3)

14 The climbing plant, as one guessed, did cover it (4)

15 Be under the false impression, being immature, personally (3,7) 17 Get moving to ensure you’re prepared for an attack (8)

18 A group of spectators carrying it does prove disturbing (7) 19 Undecided, to be frank (4) 21 Bring love into it, which is tedious (6)

24 Sounding low and feeling thoroughly miserable (8,3,6) 27 An iron and a wood I myself am carrying (6)

29 Very funny way of conveying your disdain to an actor (4) 30 Do exercises for a while (7) 33 Regarding careers, you share the same concern with him (2-6) 35 It’s to do with showing regard for others (10)

36 Mount you put a bet on, when backing (4)

37 Announce that you’re not running? (7)

38 Go on, chum! It’s of very little importance (6)

40 Act in accordance with and you’ll succeed (6)

41 Taking about a quarter the time to dispose of (3)

42 A lack of cars, usually, approaching a built-up area (8)

DOWN

1 Gathering one’s adding a few for convenience sake (8,2)

2 It’s good form, you say, pet (4) 3 It’s clear father came back by himself (8)

4 Hearing the sound of gongs, pokes one’s nose in (7)

5 Not judgmental about Americans thinking only of women? (5-6) 6 Unable to be examined by the surgeon? That’s unlikely (10) 7 Nonsense! Hit the ball to one side (6) 8 Resumptions of the occurrences (6-2)

10 The stick they’ll get if they don’t work? (5)

16 Be faster than the others when there’s a sudden exodus (7) 20 The yard got a tip off that came to nothing (5)

22 Go back and haggle some more with (7)

23 Certain to pour tea into – it’s only to be expected (2,9)

25 Goes to pieces when the car stalls? (6,4)

26 Taking little time to grade as poor (6-4)

28 Taking on, or making a fuss, over the lost point (8)

31 Pan it dreadfully when he’s appearing in it as an actor (8) 32 Vilify, at a press gathering, the English (7)

34 By word of mouth, when you gather round beforehand (6) 35 Say it’s awful meat (5)

39 Lap speed (4)