| 100% | ONSERVE | 7 | Even or close to even, in a tennis set |
| 50% | HAHA | 4 | Wall or fence set in a ditch so as not to interrupt the landscape |
| 50% | MUM | 3 | Close-mouthed, or change a letter in 27d to get the answer |
| 48% | CHIPS | 5 | Bad things to find in a tea set |
| 48% | SEXTS | 5 | Awkward messages to receive in a public setting |
| 48% | ONTHIRD | 7 | Close to scoring, in a way |
| 48% | BOXINGDAY | 9 | Present time in England? ... or a hint to each set of circled squares |
| 47% | STEER | 5 | Range rover ... or something to do in a Range Rover |
| 47% | GAINON | 6 | Get closer to, in a race |
| 47% | TARES | 5 | Sets to zero, in a way |
| 47% | WIGGLEROOM | 10 | Space to maneuver, or a hint to five sets of circled letters in this puzzle |
| 47% | GANGOFFOUR | 10 | Faction in China's Cultural Revolution ... or a hint to each set of circled letters |
| 46% | DEFEAT | 6 | To beat or win over someone in a contest |
| 46% | LOVEGAME | 8 | Shutout, in part of a tennis set |
| 46% | RUNLOW | 6 | Get close to dying, in a way |
| 46% | DREW | 4 | Set pencil to paper, in a way |
| 46% | TARE | 4 | Set back to zero, in a way |
| 46% | STEALTHIRDBASE | 14 | Get closer to home, in a way |
| 46% | STEALSECOND | 11 | Get closer to home, in a way |
| 45% | EAT | 3 | What to do in a trattoria or brasserie |
| 45% | OGLE | 4 | To gawk at or stare at something in a bad way |
| 45% | CREW | 4 | Workers in a NASCAR pit or a Broadway set |
| 45% | PASSMARK | 8 | Score needed to succeed in a test or exam |
| 45% | SOIREE | 6 | Evening party set in a private house |
| 45% | JUSTFORTHERECORD | 16 | "To be totally clear" ... or why to bring in a 17-, 27- or 45-Across? |
| 44% | BYANOSE | 7 | Close way to win, in a horse race: 3 wds. |
| 44% | TENT | 4 | Set up to sleep in near a campfire |
| 44% | SLOUCH | 6 | To hunch or sit in a lazy way |
| 44% | SLANT | 5 | To slope or lean in a certain direction |
| 44% | END | 3 | Complete or come to a close |