### Clue: The first cord, figuratively speaking (5)
### Answer: TROPE 
 ### Explanation: Definition: figuratively speaking
  T(first letter of *the*) + ROPE(*cord*).   "Cord" is something 1A and 23A want to hit over.
Defn:  Any literary form, eg. a metaphor, using words not in their literal, but in their *figurative*, sense.