Times Jumbo 1045 (20 Jul 2013)

Solving time: I didn't time it but it must have been over two hours spread across several sessions.

This felt like very tough one to me, but maybe I just wasn't on the setter's wavelength. Lots of good clues though - 14a, 18a, 3d & 8d were all particuarly good in my eyes, but there were probably others that I've overlooked.


cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (--)*, and removals like this

Across
1	SCHWA = (H + W) in SCAm - I worked this out from the wordplay as I was only vaguely aware of the word.
4	POST-BAG - cd
8	PROGNOSIS = PRO (expert) + teachinG + NO SIS (an only child has no siblings)
13	lEAVES + DROP
14	INNER HEBRIDES = INN + (HERE)* + BRIDES (misses in match) - an inch is a Scottish word for a small island
15	NO CAN DO = CON (racket) rev + AND (with) + O (ball)
16	RE(HE)ARS
17	STONE ME - dd - 'Gracious!' is the straight definition.
18	YES WE HAVE NO BANANAS - cd - made me smile.
21	GOBI = I + BOG all rev
23	ON BALANCE = (LOAN CAN BE)*
25	RE(E)FER
26	ADORAL - hidden
28	DA + TIN + GAGE + N(C)Y - although I wasn't aware gauge could be spelt without the U.
30	FREE-TO-VIEW = F + REVIEW about OTE (On Target Earnings) rev
33	SOMALILAND = (ANIMALS + OLD)* - 'originally' is the anagrind.
34	A KING'S RANSOM - cd
37	F(L)URRY
39	ABSEIL - cd
40	PORT(RAY)AL
42	RUDDy
43	REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE = B in REEL + WITHOUT (missing) + A CAUSE (author) - I wasn't entirely happy with 'author' for CAUSE but I guess it's OK. I thought 'Picture of Dean' was a well disguised definition, though.
46	GARLAND = LAND (alight) after RAG (paper) rev
47	SLAINTE = SLATE about gIN - It's a Scottish (gaelic) toast literally meaning 'Health'. When I was at University I shared a student house with a couple of Scots and I heard this said often, albeit in the form Slàinte Mhath, meaning Good Health. It was only years later, though, that I saw it written down (it's a track on the Marillion album Clutching at Straws). I never would have known the spelling otherwise, as it bears no relation to the pronunciation.
48	PhEASANT
50	THOUGHT POLICE = (ETC + L + TOO HIGH UP)* - Just one of many phrases to originate from George Orwell's 1984
51	CHIHUAHUA = CHILL + HULA-HULA with all the Ls (fifties) removed. When I think of a dog being 'man's best friend' though, a chihuahua is not really what I picture!
52	ENDORPHIN = END + ORPHAN with I instead of A
53	GI (serving American) + SELLEr (vendor briefly)
54	NONET = TEN ON rev, ten being one too many for a nonet
Down
1	SWEENEY TODD = (OWNED SEEDY + establishmenT)*
2	HAVOC = HOC (word often accompanying ad) about (A + V)
3	ABSENTEE LANDLORD = (A + B + LORD) about SENT (shipped) + EEL (fish) + AND (along with) - 'letter abroad maybe' is the definition
4	PERSONA = A + NO'S + REP all rev
5	SUPERSEDE = SUPER (police officer) + "CEDE"
6	BRIGHTON ROCK = ON in between BRIGHT (promising) and ROCK (to astound) - Graham Greene's gangland novel.
7	GIN PALACES = G (grand) + IN (Home) + PA (Secretary) + LACES (doctors, as in spikes a drink)
8	PARIS - PAR 1s on a golf course could be equalled but never beaten.
9	OVERSTAY = OVER (some cricket) + STAY (supporter)
10	N + hARROW
11	SEDGEMOOR = GEM (stone) + OO (circles) in SE (Home Counties) + RD (thoroughfare) rev - The Battle of Sedgemoor was the final battle of the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685
12	SISTER-IN-LAW = (tRIAL WITNESS)*
19	SUBATOM = MOT A BUS all rev
20	AVE + YR + ON
22	ODE ON A GRECIAN URN = (EG RADIO ANNOUNCER)*
24	NEARLY = N/E (opponents at cards) + AY (agreed) about R/L (hands)
27	GEYSER = "GEEZER" - 'from trap' being a homophone indicator, as 'trap' is a slang term for mouth
29	ENNOBLE - rev hidden
31	I ASK YOU = IOU about (A + SKY)
32	SKELETON KEYS = (SEEKS + L)* about (TON + KEY)
33	SUFFRAGETTE = (UTTERS GAFFE)*
35	MALT EXTRACT = MA + ACT about (L + TEXT + Raunchy)
36	GET + W(E)AVING
38	UNDERSO(I)L + D
40	PROVEN + CA + L
41	RED + DITCH
44	TOP SIDE
45	thigH + ANGER
47	SPOON - dd - a reference to the nursery rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle in which the cow jumped over the moon and the dish ran away with the spoon.
49	ASHEN = SA (It, Sex Appeal) rev + HEN (chicken)