Cannot understand the logic on the last two. Can someone help please? 15a Boyfriend left at a loose end? I think the answer is lover - left would give me the l but what has over got to do with loose end? 48d Season to secure time in office? Not quite (6) _ i _ t _ r - is the answer winter? - time would provide the t but how do you explain the rest?
Sorry, not being difficult but just don't get it! The fact that Chambers gives loose = upshot/end doesn't help as both are in the clue. I need to be convinced that over = 'at a loose end' or 'a loose end' - or we're missing something in this clue.
'At a loose end' surely means restless, or having nothing to do. Which is not synonymous (as far as I can see) with over!
Hi again Quizmonkey. As a setter/compiler yourself you are obviously much more of a stickler over clue construction than I a mere solver.
I have to say that until you raised your query I had not given a seconds thought to the structure and on Saturday when completing the puzzle put in the answer without any hesitation at all.
A final look at Chambers gives 'Loose end' as something left unfinished -but I'm calling quits on it !
Cheers K