| FINDTHERIGHTFIT | Look for an ideal partner ... or Step 3 for solving a jigsaw puzzle? |
| THETOTALPACKAGE | Description for an ideal partner ... or what the ends of 17-, 27-, 39- and 47-Across create? |
| MRRIGHT | Nickname for an ideal partner, maybe |
| PICKUPTHEPIECES | Recover after a heartbreak ... or Step 2 for solving a jigsaw puzzle? |
| LAYITALLOUTTHERE | Confess one's true feelings ... or Step 1 for solving a jigsaw puzzle? |
| EDGES | Good starting places for solving a jigsaw puzzle |
| SEETHEBIGPICTURE | Get some perspective ... or what you do once you've solved a jigsaw puzzle? |
| FELLOW | Word, from "one who lays down money in a joint undertaking", for an associate, comrade, confrere, partner or peer; one of a pair, aka a mate or companion; or, any man or boy (6) |
| ALGORITHM | Process or set of rules for solving a problem in a finite number of steps, especially one used by a computer (9) |
| ASSOCIATE | A person joined with others in an enterprise, business, etc; a partner or colleague (9) |
| BETTERHALF | An informal term for a romantic partner or spouse (6,4) |
| UTOPIA | This word for an ideal world was invented by Thomas More for his satirical 1516 work |
| FLING | Cast presumably isn't an issue for An Ideal Husband (5) |
| LEVERAGE | When out in a gale for ever look for an advantage to be gained (8) |
| RFK | Who said "Every time you stand up for an ideal, you send forth a tiny ripple of hope," briefly |
| REFUGE | Site offering security for those at risk from a partner or spouse (6) |
| SUDOKU | Union leader gets kudos for solving a puzzle (6) |
| HINT | Helpful suggestion for solving a puzzle |
| HIDALGO | Spanish nobleman concealed four-ninths of rule for solving a mathematical problem in a finite number of steps (7) |
| SEEK | Look for an adherent of an Indian religion they say (4) |
