| THERESNOIINTEAM | Sports cliche that explains 17-, 28-, 35- and 47-Across |
| ATA | We're taking things one game __ time (sports cliche): 2 wds. |
| BUSINESSEND | Functional bit, colloquially, and a hint to 17-, 28-, 35- and 44-Across |
| CREAMOFRICE | Porridge-like breakfast dish and, cryptically speaking, what the first four letters of 17-, 28-, 35-, and 43-Across are |
| SPRINGROLLS | Chinese appetizers ... or a punny description of 17-, 28-, 35- and 45-Across |
| DRIFTWOOD | Beach debris, or a clue to the word that moves through 17-, 25-, 35- and 47- Across |
| GOINGFORWARD | From this point on ... and a phrase that explains (and is spelled out by) the 12 shifted first letters in this puzzle |
| SHOPAROUND | Look for bargains (and a hint that explains this puzzle's theme) |
| HOBNOB | Rub shoulders, back and top of the nape digging into Robert? That explains it! (6) |
| PHOTOSYNTHESIS | What is the very long magical word that explains how plants use the sun, water and chlorophyll in their leaves to make the oxygen in the air we breathe? |
| ARTOODETOO | "Star Wars" droid, and a hint to letters shared by 17-, 22-, 35- and 47-Across |
| APOLOGIA | Written work that explains one's actions |
| EVERSION | First lady irons dress - that explains how it was turned inside out! (8) |
| GLOSSARY | A horse's third in photo finish - that explains everything (8) |
| DIAGRAM | Picture that explains weight after help rejected (7) |
| META | Like a footnote that explains footnotes |
| PIGLATIN | "Language" that explains the answers to the six starred clues |
| REASON | Anything that explains why something has happened (6) |
| SETSTHESCENE | Works in the abbey? That explains everything! (4,3,5) |
| SPLITENDS | Hair condition that explains how the starred answers break up? |
