Borrowers and Lenders

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Explanation only + Answers + Grid entries
Solution grid
After each solution note, the correct form of the clue's altered word is given in square brackets.

Across

  • 1.
    CRAVING: C + RAVING [addiction] → enter as CRACVING
  • 7.
    MINOR: M + IN + OR [lesser] → enter as MINR
  • 10.
    HOMELY: HO(M)ELY (anag. + "m") [not] → enter as HOMLY
  • 11.
    CARAMEL: CARAMEL (anag.) [ma] → enter as CAAMEL
  • 12.
    CHASM: CHASM (hidden) [as] → enter as CASM
  • 13.
    STATE: STA(T)E (anag. + "t") [time → enter as SMTATE
  • 15.
    REINFORCEMENT: REIN + FOR + CEMENT [aid] → enter as REINFORCEENT
  • 16.
    LEANDER: LEAN + DER [man] → enter as LANDER
  • 18.
    BARTENDER: BAR(e) + TENDER [nice] → enter as BARTNDER
  • 19.
    EPSILON: EPSILON (anag.) [loose] → enter as OEPSILON
  • 25.
    FLIES: F + LIES [zooms] → enter as MFLIES
  • 26.
    ANTIPARTICLES: ANTIPARTICLES (anag.) [bits] → enter as ANTIPARTICLS
  • 28.
    CROONER: CRO + ONE + R ("orc" rev.) [Bing] → enter as COONER
  • 29.
    WASTE: WASTE (anag.) [as] → enter as ASTE
  • 30.
    PROVERB: P(ROVER)B [lead] → enter as ROVERB
  • 31.
    DIVA: DIVA(n) [singer] → enter as DIRVA
  • 32.
    DIRGE: DIRG + E ("grid" rev.) [sad] → enter as DRGE
  • 33.
    LARCHES: LARCHES (anag.) [trees] → enter as LAERCHES

Down

  • 1.
    CHORE: C(H)ORE [hard] → enter as CHOR
  • 2.
    OCEAN: OCEAN (anag.) [marine] → enter as ROCEAN
  • 3.
    AMINO: A + M + IN + O [acid] → enter as AMCINO
  • 4.
    CLANDESTINE: CLAN + DESTINE [fate] → enter as CLANDESTINEE
  • 5.
    IMMORTALS: IMMORTALS (anag.) [die] → enter as IMMORALS
  • 6.
    GAMUT: GA(MU)T [scale] → enter as GAMCUT
  • 7.
    MATERNALISTIC: MATERNALISTIC (anag.) [motherig] → enter as MATERNALITIC
  • 8.
    NETS: NETS (double def.) [earns] → enter as NETNS
  • 9.
    RETARDS: RE(TAR)DS [slows] → enter as RLETARDS
  • 14.
    AMEND: AMEND (anag.) [admen] → enter as AEND
  • 16.
    LEOPARD: LEOPARD (anag.) [cat] → enter as LEOPACRD
  • 17.
    COMRADE: CO(MRA)DE ("arm" rev.) [friend] → enter as CROMRADE
  • 20.
    PAT: PAT (hidden) [Boone] → enter as PATO
  • 21.
    IMPEL: IMP + EL [drive] → enter as IMPERL
  • 22.
    DICER: DICER (anag.) [chopper] → enter as DICERH
  • 23.
    DELIVER: DE + LIVER [emit] → enter as DELIVE
  • 24.
    MOOR: MOO + R [land's] → enter as MNOOR
  • 27.
    SCADS: S(CAD)S [oodles] → enter as SCAS