| MUMSTHEWORD | "For your ears only" ... and a hint to first words of 17-, 27- and 48-Across |
| SERVANT | “A ____ only, and a gentleman / Which I have sometime known” (All’s Well That Ends Well) |
| TIPTOP | First-class hint to first of the punters (6) |
| TRIBUTE | Three, only, and a quarter, getting acclamation (7) |
| TIPTOE | Hint to first of employees: move quietly (6) |
| CANDYCOATED | Like M&M's, and an apt description of 17-, 27- and 48- Across |
| PRIVATE | Talk about the two couples that's for your ears only (7) |
| JOEMONTANA | Quarterback on the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, and a hint to puzzle theme in last words of 17-, 27- a |
| TOO | Likewise figure that's for your ears only (3) |
| POINTEDEARS | Trait shared by 17-, 27- and 48- Across |
| CARRIESNOWEIGHT | Has little significance ... and to all intents and purposes, what the first word of 17-, 27- and 48-Across does |
| PLASTIC | You don't separate your trash and so this stuff you use once only, and lasts for hundreds of years, clogs the landfill and too often lands on the beach. |
| ASIDE | What are an actor's words for the audience's ears only? (5) |
| SEATCHANGE | Irritated passenger's request, and a hint to the ends of 17-, 27- and 48-Across |
| BLANKCD | Something to burn for your ears |
| WORDS | "It's only ... and ... are all I have / to take your heart away" (Bee Gees) |
| THATSAWRAP | Director's "We're done," and hint to the starts of 17-, 27- and 48-Across |
| WATERSHEDMOMENT | Historical turning point ... and, as three words, a literal description of 17-, 27- and 48-Across |
| TALEOFTWOCITIES | Classic novel, following "A," with a literal hint to 17-, 27- and 48-Across |
| SWITCHPOSITIONS | Trade places ... or a hint to parts of 17-, 27- and 48-Across |
