ACROSS
 7. WORD outside S HIP PE = WORSHIPPED <put on pedestal>
 9. "RUE" = ROUX <sauce thickener>
10. <Olympic athlete> LUGER <German pistol>
11. <number> LIDOCAINE = LINE outside ←A COD I←
13. _OU_ TREASON = OUTREASON <logically best>
15. <Dickens hero> TWIST <unexpected development>
16. URN inside SAME = SURNAME <handle>
18. <sincere> EARNEST = EAR + NEST
20. <Japanese writing> KANJI = "CAN G"
21. "TORQUING TOO" = TALKING-TO <scolding>
23. <leaves boxes> TEA-CHESTS = TEACHES + T_S
25. <dictionary headword> LEMMA = L_ EMMA
26. <make weaker> NERF = (.o)NER F(o.)
27. <bespoke> TAILOR-MADE = (LEOTARD I AM)* 

DOWN
 1. <believes> SWALLOWS <fliers>
 2. <I make> WRIGHT = "RITE"
 3. O PALE SCENT = OPALESCENT <that's full of colour>
 4. <scrap> FEUD = FE U _D
 5. POSIT I'VE = POSITIVE <certain>
 6. <bar> EXCEPT = EXCERPT - _R_
 8. (HASH ORDER IS)* = HORSERADISH <sauce>
12. CATER PILLAR = CATERPILLAR <insect>
14. NEEDLE'S SLY = NEEDLESSLY <for no reason>
17. REFRAIN* + _E = REN FAIRE <historically themed event>
19. THOR AXES = THORAXES <chests>
20. <organic chemical> KETONE = KE + TONE
22. <athletic sort> GYM RAT = ←(.p)T ARMY G(l.)←
24. <I've got the same> SNAP = ←PANS←