| ONEACROSS | The first clue in a crossword puzzle (3,6) |
| QUIP | "Start of a ___" (first clue in a themed puzzle that likely elicits a groan) |
| TONEDOWN | Moderate, taking time, first clue in second half of puzzle (4,4) |
| AHA | Exclamation when you solve a tricky clue in a crossword puzzle |
| END | Last clue in a crossword puzzle, e.g. |
| MAJUSCULE | Academic by law revised clue in a big letter (9) |
| HINT | Something to "grasp, seize", from a clue in a crossword to a trace of a flavour in sage Derby cheese (4) |
| PUN | Many a "?" clue in a crossword |
| BUBBLECAR | B-Bunthorne's first clue b-blitzed by Araucaria's first two - could be a Messerschmitt? (6-3) |
| DOWN | Vertical clue in a crossword (4) |
| UNRELATED | Answer to first clue might be this? That's beside the point (9) |
| ACR | Like roughly half the clues in a crossword: Abbr. |
| SCHEMA | In IT, a set of rules about a type of data, such as the presence of a grid and clues in a file representing a crossword |
| COMESFULLCIRCLE | Arrives at one's starting point again, and the first clue to the puzzle theme |
| INSOMNIAC | Current issue involves money - first clue one probably won't enjoy retirement (9) |
| LIGHTS | Answers to clues in a crossword (6) |
| GETITACROSS | Solve the first clue - about time! - and explain the idea properly (3,2,6) |
| START | Read the first clue? |
| ELEGIAC | Ridiculous glee, getting the first clue? How sad |
| MANIAC | 'Lunatic fellow' - my description of the first clue (6) |
