TIMES JUMBO 921 CRYPTIC

[dofray]

THANKS IN ADVANCE - NEARLY FINISHED
52A Easily-provoked desire to lock up poisoner (7) I have W?S?I?H - could it be waspish and if so why.
56A Advertising backing up fine cook-at last dine in. (7) I have P?F?E?Y - all I can get is puffery but cant see why it should be.
3D The devils are up to hard liquor (4,7) all I have is E?I? S???E??. Haven't a clue.
last one 19D Soldiers almost captured in stratagem (7) I have??I???N.
I would appreciate some help so that I can be all fresh for the JUMBO tomorrow.

[bellabee]

waspish

[bellabee]

asp [poison snake] in wish

[factor-fiction]

evil spirits?

[dofray]

thanks Bellabee but why is it waspish?

[factor-fiction]

Forget evil spirits- I can't justify it and it doesn't quite match your letters anyway

[JMR27]

backing up = pu
fine = f
cook = fry around e (last dinE in)

[bellabee]

yes puffery = up backwards / f is fine / last letter of dine is e with fry [for cook] around

[bellabee]

waspish is easily provoked

[Mamyalynne]

Puffery

exaggerated praise, esp in publicity or advertising

[bellabee]

it is evil spirits

[dofray]

thanks bellabee makes sense now. factor 30 you could be right maybe I have something wrong. your answer sounds good

[JMR27]

19d PLA too(k) N

[mike11111]

Evil is live, "are" reversed, hence up. Spirits are hard liquor.

[bellabee]

are = live and it is reversed / hard liquor is spirits

[tommy-h]

waspish=wish locking up asp.
puffery=backing up+f,for fine+fry with last of dine inside.
evil spirits.are=live,reversed.
platoon.almost took in plan.

[bellabee]

platoon

[factor-fiction]

Ah- always go with your instincts/first thoughts.
I think the EVIL comes from LIVE (are) backwards (up)

[bellabee]

sorry jrm - didn't see it [it's a bit crowded in here]