NO WINNER THIS WEEK

ACROSS

5. CATCH not watch. Watch needs further explanation since the “manager” might watch an “employee leave” for a coffee or lunch break, which certainly wouldn’t be grounds for “disciplinary action.” But to CATCH an “employee” failing to complete “his work” suggests negligence on the part of the worker.

6. BUGLER not bugles. Strictly speaking, it would be the BUGLER’s action of blowing into the bugle that would rouse the “soldiers.” They wouldn’t be “woken up” by the bugle alone.

7. LID not lad. The resentful “student” might well want “the instructor” to stop focusing on “teaching” how to make a LID. But the clue’s reference to “more important teaching points” does not pertain to a lad.

11. ROBE not rose. A newly blossomed rose of any “color” is accepted as a thing of beauty, making the word “beautiful” unnecessary in the clue. ROBE is a better answer.

12. SIESTA not fiesta. During a SIESTA, people are meant to rest. During a fiesta, “work” often increases, in service industries, especially.

15. PRINTER not painter. The clue implies that accuracy is an expectation, which links up well with a PRINTER. The clue phrase “reproducing things” hardly applies to an artist (e.g., painter), who is not necessarily expected to depict “things” with complete accuracy since imagination is often an integral part of good art.

18. DERIDED not decided. The word “opinionated” links up well with DERIDED. Decided is too vague since an “answer” could be in reply to a basic question. DOWN

1. TAME not lame. “Many” are depressed by “the sight of a” wild “lion” that has been captured and then TAMED. Any animal that is lame is a “depressing” “sight.”

2. SCOLDED not scalded. “Rarely” suggests that perhaps, on occasion, this is not unpleasant, pointing to SCOLDED: for example, when you surprise a friend who then jokingly SCOLDS you for shocking them. “Being” scalded is never “a pleasant” experience.

3. RUSH not push. “Impatient” people usually RUSH “to get in line.” A man or woman might be patiently pushing a baby stroller or suitcase, rather than pushing a commuter “trying to get in line.”

4. LENT not sent. LENT is a good answer. The “son” could have sent his “new partner” a gift of “some money” as a wedding present, for instance.

8. TRIO not trip. A TRIO’S performance should be well paced, which could be a priority to an audience member. But someone first experiencing a trip, such as a cruise, usually has priorities other than “pacing,” such as comfort and scenery.

9. MEAL not meat. MEAL is best. There’s a possibility that the “party” guests don’t eat meat; in which case, there would be no reason to be prepping it.

10. CAR not cab. Since a cab is a type of CAR, CAR is a comprehensive answer.

13. SETTER not settee. There are many places where a settee can “look” comfortable, but a large, active dog (e.g., SETTER) will often make a point of relaxing “in front of” a “fireplace” and will “look” especially comfortable.

14. BOLD not cold. BOLD is apt. One might not gain much public support by “being” cold and therefore “ruthless,” similar to one’s “opponent”; instead, it would probably be more effective to use the opposite approach by “being” BOLD in taking a stand against “ruthless” policies.

15. PICK not pack. If the “artist” packs his “easel,” he would still need to PICK it “up” to take it “home.”