THE TAKE-A-BREAK CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Onion sprig containing everything (8) Remaining bit of a brass tuba (4) Impairs deflated brats (4) Much admired to pour assorted seed around (8) Handle an entertainment (5) Raise and promote cheer (7) He takes his bow during the recital (13) To uplift spiritually? (8) The point of broken crockery (4) Firm talks break down without United Nations (7) Fires into debauchees (5) Check and yet support (4) Stay with bust tyre

it belongs to you (8) 5. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. DOWN 2. Bra and cami combination in French town (7) Have this, having nothing! (4,3) This bird, presumably, has tummy trouble, from September to April (13) But I’m panicking, carrying bangers (7) What’s owing after fish has gone up is difficult to recover (3,4) Show concerning calf (6) Bags of travellers! (7) Remove large piece of cob I ate after five (7) Starting out for a treat (6) Wildcat comes in late for milk derivative (7) Have reason to think he should be watched (7) 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

QUICK CLUES

Across 1. Penitent (8) 5. Customs (4) 9. Motor-cab (4) 10. Estrange (8) 11. Less (5) 12. Reviling (7) 13. On purpose

(13) 18. Surprised (8) 19. Cheek (4) 20. Attain (7) 21. Odd (5) 22. Weary (4) 23. Amaze (8) Down 2. Speech (7) 3. Offering (7) 4. Garrulity (13) 6. Type of dog (7) 7. Landscape (7) 8. Come back (6) 13. Moment (7) 14. Tutor (7) 15. Lower (6) 16. Postpone (7) 17. Unruly (7)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS

QUICK Across 1 Switch 4 Advent 9 Disrespectful 10 Spindle 11 Ruche 12 Happy 14 Ambit 18 Agile 19 Bugbear 21 Confectionery 22 Dilute 23 Lesser Down 1 Sadism 2 Inspirational 3 Creed 5 Decorum 6 Effectiveness 7 Teller 8 Spree 13 Pretext 15 Rancid 16 Abate 17 Prayer 20 Globe CRYPTIC Across 1 Accuse 4 Rubber 9 Prime minister 10 Embargo 11 Overt 12 Gnome 14 Sniff 18 Lifer 19 Revenue 21 Trainspotters 22 Dreary 23 Odds-on Down 1 Apples 2 Climbingframe 3 Shear 5 Unicorn 6 Butter-fingers 7 Rarity 8 Pivot 13 Mariner 15 Plated 16 Crepe 17 Person 20 Voted