The unclued lights (one of two words, and one of three) when preceded by the same word (which has to be discovered) reveal words (in one case, a non-word which is almost a foot) or phrases all of which are listed in Brewer, with some also listed in Chambers. Ignore all hyphens.
Across
7 Losing core of drive, rant and go off line (6)
11 Not starting continental deer, say, or veal dish (10)
13 Sudden increases of bitterns’ calls (5)
14 Employing you, I hear, even in espionage (5)
15 Sign away big business arrangement — there are the overheads! (7)
17 Drinks at quiet Yorkshire town curtailed by society (7)
18 ‘Fairly trivial’ is about right (6)
19 A mostly unenlightened period in the Jewish calendar (4)
22 Organ noticed outside public library (6)
24 Abscond with the stakes in market town (9)
25 Dress foreigner, abandoning English for German….
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in