Saturday Times Prize Crossword 25382 Saturday January 26Th 2013

[Julest1]

Stuck in the SW corner this morning. This would help a lot:

16D Question novel avoids? Yes and no (3,5)
-U- -----

[cathfromsaron]

sub plots?

[bibblebub]

Quo Vadis

[Julest1]

Aha yes thanks Bibblebub anag of QU and avoids I see it now.

[bibblebub]

you're welcome

[Julest1]

All done now but two I can't understand. More to learn. Can anyone please tell me why pacifist is CO in 1D? And please parse this, which I can't get at all:

4D Opening band dress down - a failing (4-3,5)
TEAR-OFF STRIP
But why?

[bibblebub]

4d) TEAR-OFF STRIP [=opening band]

dress down - a failing = remove the A from "TEAR OFF A STRIP"

1d) I haven't been out to buy the paper yet so don't know the clue

[bibblebub]

... but have just remembered that C.O. can stand for Conscientious Objector

[Julest1]

Sorry Bibblebub, the clue is Playwright agreed with a pacifist after revolution (6) and I have OCASEY as the answer.

[Julest1]

Ahh conscientious objector of course. Thanks a million.

[bibblebub]

you're very welcome