| CAKE | Word that can follow either half of 17-, 25-, 37-, 52- or 62-Across |
| DUOS | What 17-, 25-, 37-, 52- and 62-Across are, themewise |
| DOUBLECROSS | Betray ... or a hint to what can precede each half of 17-, 25- and 43-Across |
| NOEL | Seasonal song ... or a phonetic hint to 18-, 23-, 37-, 52- and 59-Across |
| DRONE | B-52, or bumblebee? Maybe neither by the sound of it! (5) |
| GLASS | Dinnerware item that can precede the start of 17-, 26-, 38-, 52- or 61-Across |
| TAKEITLYINGDOWN | Offer no resistance, or what you might do with respect to 17-, 24-, 52- or 64-Across |
| SINGULAR | Atypical ... or like the first word in the answer to 18-, 24-, 51- or 62- Across |
| WEREALLSET | "Ready to go!" ... or a description of 17-, 25-, 37- and |
| KEEP | Hang on to ... or a word that can precede either half of the answer to each starred clue |
| HOME | There's no place like it ... or a word that can precede either half of the answer to each starred clue |
| LIBEL | Call one to replace article that's the reason sidesman brought what's in bottom half of 17 |
| PINKIE | Either half of 6's rhyme, providing colour that is part of a hand (6) |
| WATERFRONT | Harbor area, or a hint to what can precede either half of each starred answer? |
| TRAIL | Scent to follow either side of river |
| PLAYAROUND | Dally, and a literal hint to 17-, 25-, 37- and 50- Across |
| DATAMINING | NSA surveillance activity ... or, the process needed to dig out the info hidden in 17-, 25-, 37- and |
| PERFORMER | Entertainer, or a three-part hint to the shift behind 17-, 25-, 37- and 49-Ac |
| ORDERPAPER | Eccentric prepared to follow either partner's parliamentary agenda |
| IRON | Half of 17 standing for such a club (4) |
