Most cells in this grid contain two letters — use the rebus function to enter them. All other cells contain one letter — “curious gems” gives a hint to what they spell out, depending on how you look at it!
Thought I’d refine my double trouble spinoff format, and I’m very pleased with the result. Expect more puzzles like this one!
Pronto per iniziare?
per salvare progressi e statistiche sui cruciverba
2D: decuple definition (yes, I’m aware this is woefully self-indulgent):(reduce, i.e. cut down; fire, as from a job or position; stop shooting, as on a film set; injured, hurt, e.g. with a knife; do, hairstyle; lean, well-built, muscular; thin, reduce potency of, adulterate, as in ‘cut drugs’; portion, take-home, as from communal earnings; miss, avoid, as in ‘cut school’; barb, scathing comment, as in a ‘deep cut’)
3D: SNOOPS*+R[etirement]
4D: P(RUN)ING
5D: EAR+N
7D: A+LE
Curious gems: STRANGE / GARNETS
AuLeaf 🤓9:47 · circa un anno fa
Probably should've read the note before starting the puzzle, huh? :P I enjoyed it, although I didn't think of "hot" as a potential anagram indicator. Loved "buffet" though!
I was very pleased with the “buffet” clue! I agree that “hot” is a tough one, but I think if you take it in the sense of flustered/animated then it works in my eyes. Definitely difficult to spot and solve, so perhaps another case of “oh but the surface reads so well”-itis. Thanks for solving!