“At risk … or where one might hear the clue-and-answer pairs at 17-, 23-, 39-, 41- and 53-Across?”

Molecule that stores energy in the body, in brief

Word before rope or scare

Loose-limbed

Talk like a tippler

Far from shore

City on the Nile … or a punny end to the joke "When a tight-knit group of cygnets votes, they vote ___"

Do a collie's work

["I'll take 'Tennis' for $200, Ken"] It means nothing

Pre-med track precursor, in brief