| 100% | PICKY | 5 | ___ eater (someone who's hard to cook for) |
| 60% | SHY | 3 | Like someone who's hard to draw into conversation |
| 54% | SPAREROOM | 9 | Godsend for someone who's about to crash? |
| 53% | RIGHTLANE | 9 | Spot for someone who’s about to exit, perhaps |
| 51% | FUSSY | 5 | Someone who is very selective and hard to please |
| 49% | ATHEIST | 7 | One for whom it's hard to believe |
| 49% | GONER | 5 | Someone who's done for |
| 49% | MISSYOU | 7 | *Text to someone who's been away for a while [Opposite of 17-Across?] |
| 48% | IDOL | 4 | Someone who's looked up to |
| 47% | PAL | 3 | Someone who's close to you |
| 47% | ICEQUEEN | 8 | Woman who's hard to reach |
| 47% | PILL | 4 | Person who's hard to take |
| 47% | PILL | 4 | Sort who's hard to tolerate |
| 47% | IMP | 3 | Kid who's hard to control |
| 47% | DUPE | 4 | Someone who's been played for a sucker |
| 47% | WRESTLER | 8 | One who's hard to pin down? |
| 46% | RINGER | 6 | Someone who's really too good to be competing |
| 46% | EYECANDY | 8 | Someone who's "sweet" to look at: 2 wds. |
| 46% | YESCHEF | 7 | Words from someone who's really cooking? |
| 45% | SELFIERIVAL | 11 | Someone who's always trying to outdo you on Instagram? |
| 45% | EGOCENTRIC | 10 | Like someone who only has I's for you? ... or an apt description of the answers to starred clues |
| 45% | SLOWCOACH | 9 | Term for someone who needs to hurry up |
| 45% | CUIRE | 5 | To cook for Pierre |
| 45% | GOODYTWOSHOES | 13 | Someone who's so nice you almost want to smack him |
| 44% | TIGHTWAD | 8 | Slang for someone who fails to open their wallet |
| 44% | REF | 3 | Someone who's in charge of a game of sport, for short |
| 44% | HESITATE | 8 | Make someone who's just proposed to you nervous, say |
| 44% | LARGE | 5 | Order from someone who’s too hungry for a medium |
| 44% | NOSY | 4 | Like someone who's angling for all the juicy details |
| 44% | SHY | 3 | Like someone who’s hesitant to text first, maybe |