A Hard Start

This one begins with a few difficult concepts.
A clever wordplay puzzle where one key word provides the 'hard start' for six common phrases. Keywords: themed crossword, wordplay, puns.
Select a cell to see clues
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Print

Across

  • 1A
    Like a job quite unlike physical toil
  • 6A
    Delegating, which can require some persuasion
  • 7A
    The usual grind
  • 10A
    Chamomile or peppermint, e.g.
  • 11A
    Put on an act

Down

  • 1D
    Its opera is a daytime drama
  • 2D
    Formal debate that might be transcribed
  • 3D
    An ordeal on Elm Street?
  • 4D
    Left out, emotionally
  • 5D
    Stretching discipline
  • 8D
    Place to go on a spree
  • 9D
    Difficult... and what can precede the concepts clued by the six longest entries