Each of eleven clues comprises a definition part and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter; the extras spell a three-word phrase. Clues in italics consist of cryptic indications of partial answers; in each case, the indicated part must do as stated by the phrase to create the full answer to be entered in the grid. Definitions of resulting entries are supplied by the remaining unclued lights. Elsewhere, ignore three accents.

Across

1    Underwear, designer’s best, needs publicity (14, hyphened)
11    Quiet soak
12    Hills near empty ravines (4)
14    Be ahead, going west, and see town (6)
17    Son and father greeting cavalryman (5)
20    Pole in grass pitch (7)
21    European rows about right ladders (7)
23    Established excellent electronic platform (7)
24    Rise to height of inspiration (5)
25    Fixes special food (5)
27    Distracted peer wrongly appointed (7)
32    Pay must be right (7)
36    Shining silver and blue (5)
37    Marble on the way (5)
38    Sternly examine part of windpipe (6)
40    Impartiality in military unit (10)
41    Drone nearly over (4)
42    Several nasty tests may surprise IT expert (14, two words)

Down

1    Less hot, sheltered side of hill facing upstream (5)
2    Pose with Arabian instrument (5)
3    Record response, smitten (6)
4    Clergymen in valleys (5)
5    Education about endless danger around one spider (7)
6    Run outside shelter, bagging acceptable bird (7, hyphened)
7    Climbing ridge, stopped by very black tree (6)
8    Bird tried to seek cover (9, two words)
10    Raised objective tips for youth
13    Plant with edible roots in border round about (7)
16    Tear gas for instance poor army had to clear (11)
19    Independent in past
21    Boss, in duel, hero protects (9)
22    Look over abandoned spot, filled with regret, and weak (7)
26    Former confidence in causes ruined (7)
28    One who’s beaming up after starship’s last exams (7)
29    Absolute entropy
31    Sole scheme supported by cheers (6)§
33    Have to fill pit (5)
34    West end of city
35    Beginning, united in duty (5)

A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 24 October. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash — ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2281, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.

The post 2281: Fail appeared first on The Spectator.