| BOLSHY | Lob served up short is hard to handle (6) |
| FISHY | If coming up short, is suspicious |
| POTATO | Something that is hard to handle when hot vessel is used - to import, place order (6) |
| THORNY | Prickly subject that is hard to handle |
| RADIUM | You are mad and I am hard to handle (6) |
| THORNS | Hard to handle, they're found both north and south (6) |
| BESIDE | Best idea, in short, is for them to be positioned next to it |
| HOTROD | Such a vehicle sounds hard to handle! (3,3) |
| CROWES | The Black ___ ("Hard to Handle" rock group) |
| EXEMPT | Partner once having had a vacation cut short is free (6) |
| CROCUS | Crocodile, in short, is American source of saffron (6) |
| BEREFT | Bet referee being cut short is suffering great loss (6) |
| THESIS | Which sibling, in short, is fit for a long paper? (6) |
| FATHOM | Fahrenheit, in short, is a unit (6) |
| SHODDY | Rum, in short, is cheap and nasty (6) |
| TOOHOT | Hard to handle, maybe |
| SPINY | The agent captured in is hard to handle (5) |
| HEIFER | Payment that's short is welcomed by one next in line? It's an issue for Dexter! (6) |
| CRISIS | Being a piece of potato short is a disaster |
| LIZARD | Reptile queen, in short, is on American road |
