P RIZEW EEK PUZZLE
ACROSS
4. BRIDLE not bridge. A “flaw” in a horse’s BRIDLE would probably be noticeable to a rider, since they’re usually well aware of their equipment. Depending on the type of bridge, it would take an engineer’s skills, not a competitor’s, to detect weaknesses or flaws.
5. SNARL not snare. The clue’s reference to “another animal,” implying two or more, fits well with animals SNARLING at each other. One single “animal” could be scared “away” by the sight or smell of a snare.
6. MEAT not meal. Although MEAT that “is intended to be eaten while hot” “might not be nearly as tasty if it’s cold,” leftover MEAT, such as chicken, can often be good when served cold. But a full meal that’s meant to be “hot,” would definitely “not be” as good when “cold.”
8. STOCKS not stacks. If the “stable” is “full of horses,” it’s likely that “great” stacks “of hay” would be kept in a shed or outbuilding due to a lack of space in the “stable.” However, feed STOCKS, such as oats, might be plentiful in a building “full of horses.”
10. WEEKS not weeds. In the ensuing WEEKS since the “new resident” moved in and walked around the neighborhood, it would probably have been obvious “who the best gardeners” were. However, the weeds would demonstrate who the poor “gardeners” are.
12. YELLS not bells. YELLS is apt. Bells can be signals to stop the “action.”
14. SONS not sins. SONS, in some cases, “may need to be forgiven.” However, it is the sinner, not the sins, who “may need” forgiving.
15. NINE not none. The clue word “frustrated” fits well with a “golfer” who plays so poorly there’s a possibility he could lose NINE “balls.” If none are lost, there’s a good chance the “golfer” isn’t “frustrated” at all.
17. STAGED not staked. The “man,” as an actor or crew member, might join the stage production, but since a stake is usually money gambled in a risky game, the gravity of the situation would mean the “man” would be placing a bet rather then “joining in.”
DOWN
1. WILY not wild. Since wild means lacking restraint or control, it is superfluous in the clue due to the phrase “difficult to control.” WILY is a better answer.
2. DEFERS not refers. “Envious types” might resent the “manager” DEFERRING to a “clever employee” attending the “meeting.” But there needs to be more explanation about who the “manager” is referring to in regards to the “clever employee,” since it could be that individual has retired or doesn’t work for the company.
3. CRANKS not pranks. Pranks, by their very nature, are intended to be “surprisingly funny,” whereas a CRANKY person, although usually irritable, can “sometimes” be very humorous.
4. BAKE not bale. He may be “stunned by how much time it takes to bundle and wrap” what “he has” BAKED. However, since bales are literally bundles of hay, bales is redundant in the clue.
7. FEARING not hearing. The skipper of the “sailboat” might hear that there’s “rough weather ahead,” but because of the size and strength of his vessel or crew, might decide it’d be safe to continue racing. FEARING is a better answer.
9. TIES not tees. Wearing one of an “array of attractive” TIES might help the “salesman” get some attention, but tees don’t come in a wide “array” of looks, the way that TIES do.
10. WELL not will. They might try “to block” him from benefiting from his “father’s” “oil” WELL. But money or valuables are usually inherited from a will, not “made from” it.
11. AMUSED not abused. “Erratically” could be considered too mild an adverb to describe the actions of someone who abuses others. However, it fits well with an erratic person with unpredictably AMUSING character traits.