Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Can anyone help with these please. I know the answer but can't explain why!
1. Harte put in agonised toil to create book - Libretto
2. Start to lose one's temper - Lead off
3.Woman being contrary about awfully good witticism - epigram
4. Many an Anglo-Saxon runner initially needed a drink - manhattan

BRET Harte Author

2. looks like a simple double meaning.

lead off = start (like a dance)
lead off = lose ones temper.

3. Marge (contrary = backwards) = Egram
containing Pi (pious/good).

4. No idea.

HEAD OFF?

It means to start and also to lose one's head ie temper.

4.hatta is an anglo saxon messenger in Alice through the looking glass

Suggest
m = many
followed by an, then hatta then a and the initial n from needed = manhattan?