| FOLLOW | Don't take the lead but succeed |
| ADDLED | A theologist was in the lead but got confused (6) |
| IDEALS | Is in the lead but they're the perfect ones! |
| SNAGGE | John ___, newsreader and commentator whose report from the 1949 University Boat Race included "I can't see who's in the lead but it's either Oxford or Cambridge" |
| PRECEDE | Take the lead but quietly drop back later (7) |
| PULLAWAY | Take the lead, but draw on opponents' ground |
| REFUSE | Don't take the rubbish (6) |
| PULLAHEAD | Take the lead, but there's still a spell of heaving to come (4,5) |
| WHENCE | In the future women will lead - but from where will they come? (6) |
| DENIAL | In lead, but got refusal (6) |
| CLOSES | Starts with commanding lead but is defeated as he finishes (6) |
| DENYIT | "Don't take the blame" |
| PASSUP | Don't take the opportunity to hand over (4,2) |
| GOESON | Flipping sniffer dog slips lead but doesn't give up (4,2) |
| LEASEHOLD | Holes out, in the lead, but held on payment (9) |
| LOSER | Nearer snatching the lead, but never a victor (5) |
| UNRAVELLED | A French composer was in the lead, but came undone (10) |
| STANDTOREASON | Don't take the argument lying down! (5,2,6) |
| WEARTHIN | Begin to fail, but succeed covering ground |
| PASS | Fail to answer question but succeed in exam! |
