| UPACREEK | In trouble, figuratively (two words) |
| DEEPWATER | Big trouble, figuratively |
| SOTO | ___ speak (figuratively): 2 wds. |
| GOLDMINES | Sources of unending wealth, figuratively: 2 wds. |
| ATSEA | Lost, figuratively (2 wds.) |
| LONGHAUL | Extended period of time, figuratively (2 wds.) |
| SHORTRUN | Near future, figuratively (2 wds.) |
| EASYSTREET | Where those who have a lot of money dwell, figuratively (2 wds.) |
| WELCOMENEWS | WHAT THIS PUZZLE IS, LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY? (two words) |
| AFISHOUTOFWATER | Someone in unfamiliar surroundings, figuratively |
| CLUELESS | Like five answers in this puzzle, literally and figuratively |
| BOGGEDDOWN | Literally or figuratively stuck in the mud (6,4) |
| COG | Minor worker in a large company, figuratively |
| PIGSTY | School leaves psychologist in a mess, figuratively speaking (6) |
| STEAL | What one can do, figuratively, to the last words of the four longest Across answers |
| NOPIECEOFCAKE | What a chef might call each dessert featured in this puzzle, literally or figuratively |
| CLAMSUP | Figuratively, stops talking ... or, literally, what are hidden in this puzzle's four longest answers |
| DAGGERS | Angry looks, figuratively |
| STRONGHAND | Authoritativeness, figuratively |
| PAY | Bacon, figuratively |
