Possible Clues:

• Bodyguards or bouncers, in slang
• Leverage, so to speak
• Catch shellfish? Might, perhaps
• Clout helping to make ignoramus clever
• Club with a scheme to prepare a strip of beef?
• That is needed with a cross for bearing around?
• Power of inspiring person engaging class
• Kind of car or tee
• Carly Rae Jepsen "Your Heart Is a ___"
• Sinew