| SECRETHANDSHAKE | Private club ritual, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| CHANGEOFPACE | Deviation from a normal routine, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| LIFECHANGING | Influential in a big way ... and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| MIXEDNUMBERS | 5A½ and 8A¾, e.g. ... and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| CHANGEOFVENUE | Request from a trial attorney, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| CLOSINGTHEDOOR | Refusing to consider further, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| RRXING | Intersection with flashing lights and bells, for short, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| WILDCARD | One of two baseball playoff teams determined next week by a "play-in" game in each major league, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| ALTEREDSTATES | 1980 sci-fi thriller, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| CROPSUP | Appears unexpectedly, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| TAILSPINS | Sudden downturns, and a literal hint to this puzzle's circles |
| MIXINGBOWL | Baker's staple, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| COFFEEBREAK | Midmorning work time-out, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| YOUREOUTOFORDER | Judge's words ... and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| CAKEMIX | Birthday party staple, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| TURNCOAT | Traitor, and a literal hint to this puzzle's circles |
| FIVEMANROTATION | Typical MLB pitching alignment, and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| TURNTABLES | DJs' devices ... and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| SIDELIGHTS | Bits of extra information ... and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| STIRCRAZY | Having cabin fever ... and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
