NO WINNERS THIS WEEK!!
ACROSS
5. FILED not fixed. FILED is apt. Fixing is too vague. For instance, there are many products that need to be fixed with tools, lubricants or other liquid applications, in order for them to work properly, making the task of repairing them messy rather than neat.
6.REGARD not reward. There might be a hidden cache of money that the “robber” knows about but the “average person” does not, which the criminal might consider his “true” reward, upon his release from prison. Certainly, most people have little REGARD for such a person.
11. TIP not tap. To TIP “his hat” at his girlfriend would be a clear “signal to her.” However, she might be confused by him tapping “his hat,” since a “catcher” often uses various tapping gestures to communicate with the pitcher.
14. FEARS not tears. It’s the “lost” youngster’s FEARS that need to be eradicated by “comforting” reassurance. Tears are the result of the child’s FEAR of being “lost.”
15.TRITE not tripe. TRITE (i.e., corny) is apt. With tripe, the clue word “useless” is redundant, since tripe means worthless.
17.PIPS not pipe. “Dropping” PIPS from a fruit dessert on an “expensive damask tablecloth” would stain the material. The pipe could be empty, causing no harm whatsoever.
18. ADDITION not audition. Being “sloppy” while solving an ADDITION problem makes a good answer. “Sloppy” is too vague in terms of an audition, which could refer to the student’s answers to questions, the way the dialogue was read or even the student’s physical movements.
DOWN
1. GILT not gift. The clue’s reference to “quality” links up well with a specific product or application such as GILT (i.e., gold leaf applied to a surface). Gift needs more explanation since it gives us no indication of what the product is in order to assess its “quality”; furthermore, it could be the size of the gift, rather than its quality, that is the reason for the increase in cost.
2. HEIGHT not weight. Weight can be difficult to guess, especially if the person is outside and dressed in bulky clothes. But even inside, weight can be deceptive due to layered clothing. HEIGHT is a better choice since the only questionable factor might be the person’s footwear.
3. DEPARTED not deported. DEPARTED is best. Since being deported is a final act, the words “for good” are unnecessary.
4. CAFE not safe. The phrase “to lock up” best applies to a CAFE. One simply locks a safe.
7. DRUNK not drink. DRUNK makes a good answer. For many people, “a lot of laughs” usually occur after more than one drink.
8. STOP not shop. STOP makes an all-inclusive answer since the “father” would have to STOP in order to shop. Furthermore, the fact that he STOPPED was the reason for getting a “parking ticket.”
9. WAIT not writ. WAIT is apt. The clue indicates the “lawsuit” is underway, which would likely mean that some form of writ (i.e., a court order) has already been issued.
12. TRAINER not trailer. The clue phrase in “horse race season” links up well with TRAINER. A trailer might have nothing to do with racing, but instead could contain construction equipment, for example.
13. FIDDLE not riddle. Since it was supposed to be “entertainment” for the “guests,” FIDDLE music would fit the clue’s context. Generally, a riddle is a quick guessing game asked of one other person, not a gathering of people (i.e., “party guests”).
16. LOVE not lose. To LOVE being admired by “fans” is a logical answer. Strictly speaking, those admirers who the pro athlete loses can no longer be considered “fans.”