| FACER | Colloquially, a sudden difficulty or obstacle |
| PRESENCEOFMIND | Composure under sudden difficulty (8,2,4) |
| HOBBLE | A limp; a fetter for a horse; a hitch or difficulty; or, a neutered ferret (6) |
| BRIDGE | Structure such as an early "clam" or "clapper" type, built to span a divide or obstacle such as a river (6) |
| OASIS | From "dwelling place", a fruitful or green area in a sandy desert; or, a sanctuary/place of sustenance in the midst of bustle, difficulty or gloom (5) |
| CHICANE | A barrier or obstacle in motor-racing, etc (7) |
| SNAG | A hidden impediment or obstacle (4) |
| IMPEDE | Be a hindrance or obstacle to; block passage to. (6) |
| STUMBLINGBLOCKS | Term for falter- or trip-causing barriers, hurdles or obstacles, whether real or figurative (9-6) |
| STUMBLINGBLOCK | Impediment or obstacle (9,5) |
| NICK | Colloquially, a prison or police station (4) |
| HARDBODY | Colloquially, a person with highly toned or developed muscles |
| NASCARDAD | Colloquially, a working- or lower-middle-class white North American |
| EMCEE | Colloquially, a master of ceremonies or compere |
| HOWCOME | Colloquially a question of method or surprise? (3,4) |
| SLUG | Lump of crude ore or, colloquially, a bullet |
| BOOBYTRAP | A means of luring or tricking a foolish person into difficulty or error (5,4) |
| BLOCKADES | Barricades, barriers or obstacles (9) |
| BARRIERS | Obstructions or obstacles |
| TYKE | Colloquially, a small naughty child (4) |
