| NOTNOW | "I'm busy!" ... or, if read in four pieces, an aid in |
| SAPIENCE | Pieces an innovation turned into wisdom (8) |
| PARAPHRASES | Puts in other words, or, if read as three pieces, a hint to the starred answers |
| NIMBUS | Rayner announced? Hiding in kitchen, I'm busy! (6) |
| LEAGUE | Distance definable, for me, as initially in four pieces (6) |
| BIT | From Old English for "mouthful", a crumb, morsel or scrap; a bridle's snaffle or other metal mouthpiece; any small coin or piece; an awl for a brace or a drill; or, a brief space of time (3) |
| YELLOW | One of the colours of the counters used in Connect Four, pieces/tokens in Ludo, wedges in Trivial Pursuit or locations on a Monopoly board (6) |
| TIMEANDAGAIN | Repeatedly, or if read a different way, a cryptic way of signaling a letter bank for the other theme answers |
| NOTIME | "Sorry, I'm busy!" |
| LATER | "Shh-- I'm busy!" |
| NOWAYJOSE | "Sorry, I'm busy!" |
| QUARTERED | in four pieces |
| APRON | In favour of wearing an aid in the kitchen? (5) |
| LEVER | An aid in lifting always left in front |
| ASSET | An aid in action as put in place |
| AUDEN | Poet whose work was read in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" |
| PALINDROME | Phrase or word that remains the same if read backwards (10) |
| NOCANDO | "Above my pay grade" ... and, read in four parts, a hint to 16-, 24-, 32-, 40- and 49- Across |
| EDUCATIONAL | An aid in learning one way dual action needed |
| SKIPOLE | Pole with metal points used as an aid in skiing (3,4) |
