| TAPERECORDER | Takes soundings in a way, backing Pat Early, to begin with, from the orchestra (4,8) |
| ALIBI | Get out of jail free card is the greatest baloney to begin with from independent (5) |
| TRAMPS | A gangway gets in the way, backing from the ships (6) |
| SHAME | Starts saving bacon early, to begin with? There's no pride in that! (5) |
| TAWNY | Little thanks to begin with from American city port (5) |
| TENDERISE | Offer is early, to begin with, to marinate (9) |
| EULER | The French in their way backing Swiss mathematician (5) |
| ATSEA | Wee Pat's early and in a state of confusion, between ports (2,3) |
| PLUMBS | Takes soundings from doctors after further strikes end (6) |
| LEADSMAN | Fellow who takes soundings on board |
| TOPOFTHEMORNING | Tam or Pat's early salutation? |
| TESTTHEWATER | Set up utility company and then see if you can charge the people? You'd need to take soundings for t |
| STARTINGGATE | Soundings like how a horse moves when it leaves it to race (8,4) |
| YOUNGSKIDENS | Key soundings assembled for winter sport hangouts for teenagers (5,3,4) |
| SHAMROCK | In the name of God, was this the pick St Patrick left us with from the old sod? (8) |
| DEHORN | Remove the brass section from the orchestra? It's a cow of a thing to do! (6) |
| CONFER | Take soundings about trick to rise the man in the middle (6) |
| INSTRUMENT | Comes to blows with the sound from the orchestra (4,10) |
| WIND | Comes to blows with the sound from the orchestra (4,10) |
| AFGHANI | The dog I end up with from the East (7) |
