I think that clue would be improved by being simply Archer's thing. Like the bust down reason example, it makes the entire clue simultaneously the definition and the cryptic indication.
Well, since BULLS-HITTING isn't a common phrase as far as I'm aware (unlike BULLSHITTING) you'd probably need to write it as Archer's thing? with a question mark.
Raak's one has been bothering me for some time now. Some ideas I've had have been TURNED, TURBAN, TRUANT but none of them really seem right. I'm sure when the real answer comes up I'll feel really stupid for missing it. Some explanations of those ideas: I'd realised the "Twisted" misdirection quite early on. Presumably the letters of "nut", chopped (by which I assume anagrammed or split up or both), are in there somewhere, so it comes back to the small mammal. For TURBAN (and yes that's not a great answer for "Twisted") it would be "RAB" (heh) which could be a small form of RABBIT. Very messy, that one. TURNED it would be RED, which I covered above. TRUANT would be RAT, but is TRUANT an answer for "Twisted"? Still, Raak, if you'd be so kind, could you tell me if I'm anywhere near the right lines here?
And the landmines one was also solved, by MF. And I could have sworn that some one had also posted the answer to Chalky's a while back, but maybe that was my imagination. I know I solved it and then didn't post the answer for some reason. So only the last three of Raak's list are outstanding.
No. It doesn't require anything outside general knowledge - although it could be a rubbish clue. There is a big clue in the amendment. The definition is 'driver'.
Been thinking about this one for ages now - the small animal combined with the learner might suggest the word: GOLFER - GOPHER with 'L' a driver is used in golf, etc etc. I'm having a problem, however, with the phrase 'run over' . If I'm correct perhaps you can explain the last bit of hidden text.
[Chalky] I believe you've got it: Small animal = GOPHER. Small animal said = GOFER. "Run over by learner" means insert an L, hence GOLFER, who drives from the tee.
[Raak] Thanks. 'run over by' as an insertion indicator is new to me, but the rest is much as I thought. Have we solved all the outstanding ones now? If so, before the serious stuff begins again, here's a little light-hearted diversion: Be alert when one's aurally deviating? (5, 2, 4, 4)
[Chalky] Well I reckon that must be Prick up ones ears (or "your" for "ones" - but "ones" is commoner in Xwd answers). Still my Presume the leader is back in place (8) to do. rab may well complain that the penultimate word is unnecessary and confusing, so you can ignore it if you like.
[Chalky] Have a coconut! My understanding about the use of terms like run over is that it's ok if it could be taken in the intended crossword sense without too much difficulty. This might be on the edge of fair play, but lenience may be granted as it carries on the English language sense of the clue, and strengthens the misdirection of "driver" as a controller of automotive transport. Well, anyway.