| SOTHATSHOWITCOMESOUT | "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold or cruel, but I am ___": Bill Hicks |
| ASSET | May sound bitter, but it's a blessing (5) |
| MIEN | Mean to sound like one's bearing (4) |
| ACERB | A Southern European sounds bitter (5) |
| SELFISH | How mean to sound like a trade with 20 down (7) |
| INE | Bill Hicks comedy album "Rant ___ Minor" |
| RANT | Bill Hicks comedy album "___ in E Minor" |
| YOURETHEONLYTENISEE | "I don't mean to pry, but are you from Nashville? Because..." |
| PRY | "I don't mean to ___, but ..." (start of a personal question) |
| NOSY | Like people who say "I don't mean to pry, but . . ." |
| BUTTINSKY | One who might say "I don't mean to pry . . ." and then proceed to pry |
| BRAG | What one might do after saying "I don't mean to toot my own horn, but . . ." |
| BRAGALERT | "I don't mean to boast, but ..." |
| TOOT | "I don't mean to ___ my own horn, but..." |
| NOOFFENCE | I don't mean to insult you: coffee non-negotiable (2,7) |
| NOMINATED | Formally proposed, I don't mean to change it (9) |
| NOSHADE | "I don't mean to offend you..." |
| LOT | "I cry a ___ but I am so productive, it's an art" |
| ALOT | "I cry ___ but I am so productive" |
| EYELET | It is tiny place, but I am the landlord we hear |
