The unclued lights (one of two words, and one of three) when preceded by the same word (which has to be discovered) reveal words (in one case, a non-word which is almost a foot) or phrases all of which are listed in Brewer, with some also listed in Chambers. Ignore all hyphens.
Across
7 Losing core of drive, rant and go off line (6)
11 Not starting continental deer, say, or veal dish (10)
13 Sudden increases of bitterns’ calls (5)
14 Employing you, I hear, even in espionage (5)
15 Sign away big business arrangement — there are the overheads! (7)
17 Drinks at quiet Yorkshire town curtailed by society (7)
18 ‘Fairly trivial’ is about right (6)
19 A mostly unenlightened period in the Jewish calendar (4)
22 Organ noticed outside public library (6)
24 Abscond with the stakes in market town (9)
25 Dress foreigner, abandoning English for German…. (5)
26 …quarrel with German in a French thoroughfare (5)
33 Take part in crime, a risky undertaking (4)
36 Alcohol from that waster, Oliver (6)
39 A strong crook in Liverpool suburb (7)
40 Angle from old boat house in the sound (7, two words)
42 Little bearing on Londoners’ walk (5)
43 In place of ‘occupier’, see ‘officer’ (10)
45 Hired actor Oliver to control National Theatre (6)
Down
1 Massage support for composer (6)
4 Croupiers, possibly right on the money, caught out (6)
5 Reorganise half the plant (5)
6 Modern day choices for some children? (9)
7 Magazines block journalist returning (6)
9 Farewell to the French about to depart (5)
10 Gains access to records being broadcast (6, two words)
16 Below end hut, near building (10)
20 Fat man in exemplary turn-around (4)
21 Wins over frequently with Tom coming around upset (9, two words)
23 Board member’s wife in loo (4)
27 University engendering endless applause (7)
29 He takes over (7)
30 Feelings of anxiety about tiny measurements when gypsy leaves (6)
35 King and Queen tucked into caviare, say, on return trip (5)
37 Displeased, being infested? (5)
38 Doughboy, a colonist, is monstrous (5)
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 21 March.
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