| TURNSTAIL | Goes to the very end, but beats a retreat (5,4) |
| OBSTINATE | Stubborn, but beats into shape (9) |
| LASH | Shall lose the left but beat soundly |
| AGENCY | Operation's American — touching but beat |
| CLEARSOUT | Gets rid off the wrong items, so beats a retreat (6,3) |
| AOUTRANCE | To the very end of August in Paris managed empty cafe |
| ERNESTINE | Serious boy, say, lost one, in the end, but got the girl (9) |
| LIGHTYEAR | Projectile's journey long - no beginning or end but a great distance (5,4) |
| POLITESSE | Was courteous on board ship, at the end, but it was superficial civility (9) |
| CRAMMEDIN | Studied hard, in the end, but packed it in (7,2) |
| TITILLATE | Let it tail off, at the end, but can still amuse one (9) |
| DEDICATED | Was addicted, at the end, but was resolute (9) |
| CURTAILED | That worthless creature put it on at the end but I cut it short! (9) |
| BAR | Beats a retreat from summits to keep out (3) |
| TSAR | Emperor beats a retreat, to some extent |
| RASTA | One who's "dreaded" retiring, beats a retreat to downsize |
| TAKEFLIGHT | ... that'll beat a retreat on a wing and a prayer? (4,6) |
| BLAST | A blockhead to the very end, dammit! (5) |
| TELLY | Something to watch, say, to the very end (5) |
| STOCKY | Solid enough to keep to the very end |
