| CAUSEFORPANIC | What being close to a critical deadline and running way behind may be |
| KNIFEEDGE | Wound fringe to a critical point (5,4) |
| NEEDS | Laid out deadlines and requirements (5) |
| MAGPIE | Bird that is behind may finish off doctor (6) |
| LOSTANDFOUND | Where things left behind may end up |
| SCABBY | It's despicable being close to a blackleg (6) |
| CLEVEREST | It's most ingenious, being close to a mountain (9) |
| SWARMING | Vocalise about being close to a mass of bees on the move (8) |
| ALONGSIDE | Do leasing arrangement, being close to a bank (9) |
| DOTES | Shows excessive affection, being close to death to some extent when turning up (5) |
| SLIP | In cricket, a fielder who stands a little way behind and to the offside of the wicketkeeper |
| RENEGUE | Deny being close to manager O'Neill after reversal (7) |
| BYPASS | Go over someone's head, being close to exam result (6) |
| ONEDGE | Jittery about being close to drop-off point (2,4) |
| RORQUAL | Marine mammal tailed ferry, perhaps, by virtue of being close to hull |
| ENDGAMES | The acts of being close to mates on board (3,5) |
| ENDEAR | Create goodwill by being close to the listener (6) |
| BALATON | Lake in Hungary noted for being close to its wine-growing region (7) |
| TERM | Teenage rowdyism, outwardly what being 9 leads to? (4) |
| AGOODDEAL | What being given four aces would mean to poker player? (5,4) |
