Phrase: ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
A 1752 phrase (4, 2, 3, 6, 4) can be arranged from the letters in the blue squares. This phrase, which solvers need to write in the space below the grid, indicates why a particular number of entries remain unclued, while 1 across does not.
Across
1 Irate gardener with a tipper fuming about admirer’s first Christmas present (1, 9, 2, 1, 4, 4)
11 Half-heartedly, lunatic pens first-rate Christmas ballet (10)
13 Apparition of Doctor Lambert in spiritualists’ meeting (9)
15 Swimmer is finally more considerate, caring for four (9)
17 One acting wickedly lied over riots (4-4)
18 One pest accosts Highlander, devotee of Spanish theologian (8)
19 First lady occupying vacant tent for a month in Israel (5)
24 Pardon priest avoiding payments fraudulently (7)
25 Organised monarch’s entourage, mostly displaying spite (7)
32 Pleasant going around area with an individual from ancient Bithynian city (7)
34 Artist somehow a help to another artist (7)
36 Ringer sounds like a beautiful lady (4)
37 Exhausted when finished finally, catching one’s breath (4)
39 Partially install ample light in the sanctuary? (4)
40 The rest etc has to stay the same (4)
44 Droll graduate’s lively dance (5)
45 Broken toenail I’ve trimmed is uninjured (9)
49 Stranger from revolutionary Communist Party (5)
Down
1 Novel idea about uplifting sung part of mass
(5, 3)
2 Illuminations, etc, are as found in the AV (3)
4 Hearing popular judgement, inflame with anger (7)
6 French after fancy pears (5)
7 Lamb leaning with head lowered (7)
8 Way of restoring moisture to deformed, thin, dry Aero? (11)
9 Regret using up some euros (3)
10 Cherish inns here being demolished (8)
14 Damp edges of turbine stop working in demos (9)
16 Colour of blood vessels perhaps shown in mineral matter (9)
20 What Santa may bring to youngsters on vacation (4)
21 Symbol in one of the gospels (4)
23 Missionary having plain speech and loose style with Religious Instruction (12)
27 Garden where God is seen in the evening, according to poet (4)
29 More than one little devil implies overlooking fib (4)
30 Alluring combination of vin extraordinaire, vermouth and mixed gin (8)
33 Bishop supporting short newspaper feature on anonymous Irish saint (7)
35 Turned out in ’eadgear looking limp? (7)
38 Evil spirit was raised (5)
39 Get wind of ale concocted by Navy (5)
41 War god’s militia initially up in arms (4)
42 Beguiling lady abandoning island for part of the day (4)
43 Sailor’s saint sighted from helm often (4)
Last week’s solution
