| STANDTO | Assume defensive positions, thus holding time and time again (5,2) |
| STEPBYSTEP | Gradually, flight holding times upset Paddy (4,2,4) |
| STANDBYS | Stalls holding Times supplements for emergencies |
| SATIRIC | Using ridicule, thus holding girl back? |
| TENABLE | Like some defensive positions |
| REDOUBT | Have second thoughts, yet again in a defensive position (7) |
| RAMPART | Collect butter and gin, back in defensive position (7) |
| ENGARDE | French warning to assume a defensive position (2,5) |
| SORTIED | Having fixed on unit, attacked from defensive position (7) |
| READOUT | Defensive position, said computer display (4,3) |
| SWEEPER | Soccer defensive position (7) |
| STACCATO | Thus holding pet back and forward in a disjointed manner (8) |
| REDHANDED | Caught thus holding diamonds and hearts (9) |
| RAMPARTS | Pack divisions into defensive positions (8) |
| STRONGPOINTS | To build well-fortified defensive positions was one's forte (6,6) |
| STUDIO | In workplace, thus holding up one unfinished task |
| STOIC | Philosopher thus holding the office, initially |
| OKAYS | Sanctions thus holding a beast up (5) |
| STRONGHOLD | Defensive position's vice-like grip |
| CIRCLETHEWAGONS | Assume a defensive position (and one way to highlight the puzzle theme found in the first and last l |
