| MONKEYAROUND | Spend time idly (and a hint to what can precede the last word of 20-, 25-, 38- or 47-Across) |
| ILLSECONDTHAT | "Same here," and what might be said about the start of 20-, 27-, 38- or 47-Across |
| SIDESALAD | Dish that may accompany a main course, and what can be found at the start of 17-, 25-, 38-, or 53-Across? |
| ROLL | Sushi selection, and a hint to the last words of 20-, 25-, 45- and 51-Across |
| HORSETRAILERS | Equestrian transport vehicles, and what the last words of 20-, 25-, and 45-Across can be |
| THEXFACTOR | Hard-to-define element, or a hint to what can precede each last word in answers to starred clues |
| BOOKENDS | Simon & Garfunkel album, and a hint to what can precede and follow the halves of the starred answers |
| DOUBLETAKE | Surprised reaction ... or a hint to what can precede both halves of the answers to the starred clues |
| FIRESIDES | Warm, cozy places ... and a hint to what can precede both parts of the answers to starred clues |
| POWERPLAY | Takeover endeavor ... and a hint to what can precede each word in the answers to starred clues |
| SUPERCOUPLE | Jay-Z and Beyonce, for one ... or a hint to what can precede both words of each starred clue's answer |
| ROLLINGINDOUGH | Wealthy, and a hint to the first word of 20-, 35- and 40- Across |
| SMOKE | Light up, and word that can precede the last word of answers to starred clues |
| KING | Type of leader, and a word that could precede the last word in each starred answer |
| EXTRA | Bonus, and a word that can precede the last words of this puzzle's four longest answers |
| DEADAHEAD | Directly in your path, or a hint to what can precede each starred answer's first word |
| LOVEISALLAROUND | 1968 hit for the Troggs, and a hint to what can precede this puzzle's perimeter words |
| PENS | They relate to this puzzle's title, and can follow the first word of 20-, 31-, 40-, and 52-Acoss |
| GAS | Word that can precede the last word of the four longest puzzle answers |
| BARN | Word that can precede the last word of the four longest entries |
