Def Jam

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Explanation only + Answers + Grid entries
Solution grid
Each clue’s unaltered definition is given after its solution note.

Across

  • 1.
    REP + EATS (per rev. [parrots]
  • 6.
    BE(A)DS [rosary]
  • 10.
    A + BAN(DONE)D [left]
  • 11.
    NOT(I) + ON [whim]
  • 12.
    ALSO (hidden) [too]
  • 14.
    PO(LECA)T (lace anag.) [stinker]
  • 15.
    H(A + MM)ER [tool
  • 16.
    (s)EXIST [be]
  • 17.
    MI(RAC)LE (car rev.) [wonder]
  • 22.
    O + RDERED (redder anag.) [sorted]
  • 23.
    SP + IRE [steeple part]
  • 24.
    E + SCO(R)T [date]
  • 27.
    SIMPLER (anag.) [easier]
  • 29.
    TEES (tease homophone) [ball holders]
  • 30.
    SOLE+ M(a)N [earnest]
  • 31.
    UTTERANCE (anag.) [speech]
  • 32.
    PEST + O [sauce]
  • 33.
    ATTRAC + T (cart at anag.) [draw]

Down

  • 1.
    RAN + CH [spread]
  • 2.
    PAT + H [route]
  • 3.
    ENIGMAS. (anag.) [riddles]
  • 4.
    AD + ORE [hold dear]
  • 5.
    SNOOPER (anag.) [spy]
  • 6.
    BELLES (bells homophone) [pretty girls]
  • 7.
    A + FL + C(I)O [union]
  • 8.
    DI'S + ASTERS [wrecks]
  • 9.
    S + POTTED [saw]
  • 13.
    HAIRPIECE (anag.) [fake locks]
  • 17.
    MISS + TEP (pet rev.) [slip-up]
  • 18.
    LORETTA (hidden) [Lynn]
  • 19.
    SECU(L)AR (saucer anag.) [lay]
  • 20.
    TI(M)ERS [cooks' beefs]
  • 21.
    GELATO (first letters) [dessert]
  • 25.
    SHORT (R for U in shout) [low]
  • 26.
    TEN(E)T [principle]
  • 28.
    LENA (hidden rev.) [horne]