Crossword Help Forum
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Peer Review 533

Welcome to our informal weekly competition to compose a cryptic clue, to be judged by your fellow contestants.

You may enter as many clues as you wish, and everyone is welcome. Feel free to explain your clue if you think it will help, or to ask another poster to explain theirs. As a courtesy to others, please do not otherwise comment on entries until voting has opened.

You clue should be posted by 12 noon (UK time) on Friday 25 th March, when voting opens. Entrants should vote for their favourite clue and include the name and post number. Voting closes at 8.00 pm (UK time) on the same day.
The entry with the most votes wins and its composer sets next week's competition. The setter has the deciding vote in the event of a tie and may tweak the rules if necessary. The setter will declare the winner and award an online prize.

This week's challenge is:

BRUSH (5)
BRUSHED(7)
OR
BRUSHING(8)

Have fun, everybody!

Fox tail could tidy up (5)

Dust-up as Russia invades Belize (5)

bypassing Moldova entirely

Polish and British face attack (5)

On second thought just make it:

Polish and British attack (5)

Recipe for basil: Boron plus 2112 artists (5)

Spruce thicket (5)

Hurrying to first base leads to kissing (8)

b rushing

Showed embarrassment when swapping sides, then touched gently (7)

Frottage*, perhaps conflated minor-league** opera cycle***.

* Once one of the favorite words of Private Eye setter Cyclops (= Brummie in Grauniad)
** Bush (US slang)
*** Ring