| ONTHEGO | Busy working but drinking, say (2,3,2) |
| CRAWLIN | Come home after a night of heavy drinking, say |
| TEEMING | Very busy working as a group, we hear |
| SUBSIDY | Is busy working around director getting financial support (7) |
| BALLOON | Dance circle working, but it's often up in the air (7) |
| ONSTAGE | Is working, but on the shelf in the theatre (2,5) |
| TABLEWINE | A grizzle while drinking, say, or a drinking item... (5,4) |
| EXCESS | Lack of moderation, in drinking say (6) |
| AGELIMIT | Restriction placed on driving or drinking, say (3,5) |
| NEGUS | Provider of warmth knocked back when drinking, say (5) |
| BLESSMY | and 23 Across: I say nothing, busy working with revolting smells (5,2,4) |
| BEMYGUEST | Get me busy working, and help yourself (2,2,5) |
| HESITATION | Pause to rest, stopping the man endlessly busy working (10) |
| OBSESSION | Thing is, sweetheart, boss is busy working (9) |
| ATIT | Busy working |
| HONEYBEE | Has darling been endlessly busy working for the queen? |
| TIEDUP | Busy working as an escapologist? (4,2) |
| ONTHETROT | Busy working on article with lefty (2,3,4) |
| DESERVE | Severe Don working but not on merit |
| PLAYING | Not working, but producing eggs on the quiet (7) |
