| BEADYEYES | Ratlike feature, and a hint to a feature of the four starred answers |
| BIRD | Each of the four starred entries begins with a four-letter one of these |
| COMPASS | Instrument whose four ordinal points are represented by the initials of the four starred entries, which also explains their placement in the grid |
| DOWNANDOUT | Needy, or like the four starred answers? |
| WISECRACK | Witticism ... or, literally, a description of the answer to each of the four starred clues? |
| GOOFF | Explode, and words needed to complete the four starred answers |
| USBCONNECTION | Common PC hookup, and a feature of the four longest Down answers |
| POLESAPART | In complete opposition ... and a feature of the four other longest answers |
| WHYONEARTH | Head-scratching words ... and, phonetically, a feature of the four longest Down answers |
| PANTS | Different kinds of them are split (but not in an embarrassing way) in the four starred answers |
| EYECONTACT | Public speaker's asset, and a phonetic hint to a feature of the starred answers |
| TRIPOLI | Capital of Libya, and a phonetic hint to a feature of this puzzle's four longest answers |
| FIRSTHAND | Obtained directly, and a hint to a feature of answers to asterisked clues (5-4) |
| THEAYESHAVEIT | "Motion carries!" (or phonetically, a hint to a feature of the *clue answers) |
| BUTTONDOWN | Very conventional ... or a hint to the starts of the answers to the four starred clues |
| INITIALREACTION | Off-the-cuff response ... and a hint to the answers to the four starred clues |
| GOFETCH | Dog command ... or a hint to the starts of the answers to the four starred clues |
| BIRDSANDBEES | Subject of "the talk" about sex ... or a hint to the answers to the four starred clues |
| TWOAM | Wee hr., and a hint to a feature common to this puzzle's four longest answers |
| ISNOT | One side of a childish debate ... or a phonetic hint to the answers to the four starred clues |
