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I agree on both counts. That's how I left the grid but overall an unsatisfactory puzzle.

Am I missing some subtlety? My response on completing the grid (if I have 'completed' it) was, 'Eh.'
I don't see how anyone who hasn't some knowledge of the particular lingo can complete the puzzle. Very unfair (oh dear, I sound like Trump!)

dryden, your use of the word "lingo" implies it's not in English. Is that right? The word count would be very helpful. I can fill the bottom line with things that make sense, but the top eludes me.

Yes, it's three words in the top line and three words in the bottom line. The phrase is proverbial and paradoxial.

Yes foreign
5-8-3
4-4-8

These add up to 16 whilst the grid is 15 cells across. Is that significant?

Phil, no - just a very rare typo from dja. The top row is 7 letters in the middle word.

Finally there.

Without the heavy hints from this forum (thanks to all contributors) and the internet I would not have finished this.

There seems no explanation for the split down answers.

Not happy with the endgame although the main solving was enjoyable.

I found the endgame to be quite satisfactory with no doubt about how to enter any entry. The phrase is in Chambers.

Sorry Phil at a barbecue and a few glasses of wine and dare I say a few glasses of single malt have taken their toll!