Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (answers vary in length from three to eight letters, seven are capitalized, and one is foreign) then enter them in the grid one after another in the same order as their clues, starting in the upper left corner. Across words that don't end at the right continue on the next row, and down words that don't end at the bottom continue in the next column. Seven across words and seven down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is omitted. Those fourteen letters, taken in order as they occur in across and down words, spell a five-word phrase related to the mystery entry. Thanks to Kevin Wald for test-solving and editing this puzzle. If you are having trouble printing these puzzles, you can download an Adobe Acrobat version of the puzzle and grid. [Want to see some hints?]

1. Run makes Rod very mean
2. Battle-scarred plaque
3. Get a return having some weight
4. Name of the "pit" changed after error
5. Roles got confused for one in defeat
6. Kisser, female, and top notch
7. Auction involving western lowland
8. Beam, shaft or bar
9. Eight covet a refreshment
10. Not so much about love for loam
11. Standard weapon in speech
12. Mystery entry
13. Theatrical bit followed by one spasm
14. Working with Charlie, not Victor, in sitcom
15. My pet being sick and without force
16. Child's solitary copy
17. Victor's wife has left in secret
18. Latin others in Italian
19. Endless piece of writing gets new censor
20. Gregor, hurt after guard leaves, is okay
21. Mark led scramble to unite
22. In Italy she will meet that French lens maker
23. Tea brewed and consumed
24. Rest of butchered torso

1. False notes, about fifty, getting lifted
2. Main race mistaken for Apache, e.g.
3. City meals on wheels
4. Nasty cur, perro, pimp
5. Trifle absorbs attorney now
6. Active fish will produce a kind of jelly
7. Father Bertram's middle name
8. Head of company has permission to split
9. Antiquated ship in metal coating
10. High-flown aspect of upstart youth
11. Cut around section and break down into parts
12. Comic set, silly and superficial
13. Poulenc dancing with energy and extravagance
14. Judge hiding in crater
15. Discharge bank teller
16. A subdivision of the earth without golf
17. Destiny of small sailors
18. Refer to locus of hearing
19. Execute Lieutenant Dunce
20. Thoreau title rule overturned before retreat
21. Feel secure having more
22. Fill a vault with molten rock
23. $10 bill returned for enzyme complex