Guardian Genius 206

[Unicorn5]

21A Trapped nerve in back? Pull 5 out (8) - I think the answer is CORNERED (I have ?O?N???D), but I can't parse.
14D It prevents discontented druggie getting in (9) - I think the answer is DETERRENT (I have D?T???E?T), but again I can't parse. Can anyone explain please? Thanks in advance.

[fiction-factory]

Remove the V (five) from NERVE gives NERE. then add CORD but I can't see that

[bhg481]

ff - is "spinal cord" for "back" an answer?

[JJ109]

14d Deterrent (prevents) Decurrent swop Copper CU for Telurium TE

[fiction-factory]

Yes, that must be it, bhg. Thanks

[JJ109]

Garnered Ga swap for Cobalt = Cornered

Drag (back)

[fiction-factory]

Can you expand on that please jj109. I can't see where decurrent comes from, nor why those elements were chosen

[JJ109]

FF this is a themed crossword and you must swap the chemical symbol of one element for another

[aelmpvw]

i sense a theme here that i wasn't aware of :-)

[fiction-factory]

Okay, it seems there is a theme here we weren't told about- some answers must involve exchanging one chemical symbol for another

[fiction-factory]

Crossed posts.
I still don't get where DECURRENT came from though

[JJ109]

The actual word that fives the answer is not defined, and the repacement word is. Therefore garnered undefined = GAr +ner(v)e +d
Nerve in drag backwards
Now swop the chemical element GA for CO and you get the definition "trapped" = cornered

[JJ109]

Decurrent is undefined but equals d(ruggi)e + current (in)
Swap the CU(copper) for TE(telurium) = deterrent (it prevents)

[fiction-factory]

Thanks. I dislike the themed ones and especially any involving undefined clues or superfluous words/letters etc. I'll give GG a miss if any more come up.

[JJ109]

Just to clarify in better English

Garnered (undefined) = Gard (pull,reversed/back) (around) ner(v)e (berve 5 out)
Gar nere d
Now swap GA(llium) for CO(balt) = Cornered (trapped)

[Unicorn5]

Thank you so much, those last two were driving me mad! I understand now. Sorry for not mentioning the theme. All done now.