| DESERVING | Worthy duke in action with Essex at the front |
| ENGINE | Motor to part of England, in Essex at first (6) |
| DEDUCED | Worked out as French duke in action |
| DIAZ | Cameron _, retired actress back in action with Back In Action! (4) |
| LITHUANIAN | Italian in action with Hun and E European |
| PRACTICALJOKERS | Tricky people may be efficient in action with extra cards (9,6) |
| PRUNES | Joined in action with mystical characters, those perhaps responsible for movement? (6,6) |
| STEWED | Joined in action with mystical characters, those perhaps responsible for movement? (6,6) |
| ASSOCIATION | Group in action with Oasis surprisingly (11) |
| PLAYMAKER | Team's creative linchpin may sparkle in action with seconds to go (9) |
| RETRACTED | Withdrew or retired in the face of, or from, action with an enemy (9) |
| BESTSHOT | Action with the highest chance of success |
| DOUBLETAKE | Delayed action with stand-in starting film scene (6,4) |
| OFFTHECUFF | Impromptu action with the wrist? (3,3,4) |
| CREDIT | Direct action with the bank's money (6) |
| ATTHEREADY | Poised for action with reference to the money |
| SUES | Takes court action with girl seen at first |
| RUB | Genie action with the lamp |
| FALSEFLAG | Military action with the intention of blaming other parties |
| COMBUSTIONCHAMBER | Much action with bombers flying in which fuel catches fire |
