The completed grid contains 14 clashes which should be joined in their correct order to approximately illustrate that
which they describe, and to spell a message whose second word can be replaced by the unclued entry to represent the title.
All wordplay refers to grid entries and Chambers 2003 is the primary source.
ACROSS
1 Supports form of dance? (9)
12 Craft available to all players not married (4)
13 Socialist who is extremely withdrawn after standing up (8)
14 A long letter (5)
15 Stimulate veterinary surgery? Try to escape it (7)
16 Unusual limits placed on
quiet place of worship (4)
17 Sound made by stinging fly (4)
18 Break up from
2nd March? (5)
20 They will play gripping pop with one string (6)
21 Single shot
gunner takes, causing destruction (7)
23 Those starting before one then have the two (4)
25
Language barriers ensure only some of this will fit (4)
27 Heartless credit letter presented to board?
(4)
29 Special docked tail (4)
30 Cracks caused by cold autumnal deposits (7)
31 Evil antihero killing off man who described the quality of mercy (6)
33 For sailors,
stop sign that's always carried (5, two words)
35 Footwear regularly unused (4)
38
Open or locked, horse escapes (4)
39 South Islander, second one to run away from dust storm (7)
40
Jewish month's name exemplified by being reflective (5)
41 Girl taken by worktop good for leather-making
(8)
42 Apparently besotted by one girl (4)
43 Some canvas damaged as it lay on
board (9)
DOWN
1 Who, in Naples, wasted an opportunity to decorate?
(8)
2 Particular currency lacking coin shape, which is a novelty (7)
3 Overturned
mug that's said to stop chip (5)
4 Composer's "Push off, man" (8)
5
An artist framing one half of London AZ (7)
6 Fish are found in water (5)
7 Overweight
Scot sent to bed (4)
8 Works anonymously for dictator in old 15? (8)
9 Lowly river
duck that climber devours? (9)
10 Bible dealing with rising star (4)
11 Spouse's
energy in sack (5)
19 One whose crimes may be reviewed by social worker? (9)
22
A very small part in unrest (rioting) (8)
23 Be confused over direct approaches (8)
24
Makes a noise when communists carry on US supply (8)
26 Lance thrown – length unknown – penetrating
thus? (7)
28 General legend said to be a specific legacy (7, two words)
31 Offensive
that's anything but a mess (5)
32 Horse's answer – carriage (5)
34 Soul
music initially used in opera piece (5)
36 The effect of warmth – a warming (4)
37
Figure that may be compared immediately (4)
