X's and O's

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Puzzle
Explanation only + Answers + Grid entries
Solution grid
O's spell DROP THE BALL; X's spell TIMES SQUARE.

Across

  • 1.
    STROPS (rev.)
  • 3.
    SARCASM (anag.)
  • 5.
    MIL(A)DY ("dimly" anag.)
  • 9.
    NEW YEAR'S EVE
  • 10.
    A(DIE)U
  • 13.
    FOSTER (2 defs.)
  • 14.
    A + MULE + T
  • 15.
    CHA(LE)T
  • 16.
    SA + TIRES
  • 17.
    MAD(AM)E

Down

  • 2.
    TEAR (2 defs.)
  • 4.
    AN + ON
  • 6.
    BADGE + R
  • 7.
    AN(O)DES
  • 8.
    AVA + TAR
  • 11.
    ABUT (rev.)
  • 12.
    TEEM ("team" hom.)

X's

  • •
    OMIT
  • •
    AQUINAS
  • •
    LARDS
  • •
    TALE
  • •
    MOUSSE
  • •
    POLITE
  • •
    REGULUS
  • •
    GRATIS
  • •
    LEANTO
  • •
    HOISTING
  • •
    CAVIAR
  • •
    SLIGHTS
  • •
    SEDANS
  • •
    LEMMON
  • •
    MAILED

O's

  • •
    GELATO
  • •
    GARBO
  • •
    DALLAS
  • •
    EARL
  • •
    LEARNER
  • •
    INEPT
  • •
    ELNORTE
  • •
    YOUNGER
  • •
    ARETHA
  • •
    NEROLI
  • •
    THORNTON
  • •
    LEAD
  • •
    THROwES