Can you determine the connection between the crossword puzzle clues and their answers as listed below?

1. BEAR - restrain yourself
2. GET - draw a blank
3. TRESSES - secure places
4. TUNE - piles of money
5. BIDDING -threatening
6. GAVE - buried the hatchet
7. UM - discussion group
8. TIES - middle age years

HINT:
The title of this puzzle is FOR STARTERS.

Answers:

Each clue word can "start" with  FOR to create a word defined by its answer:

1. FORBEAR
2. FORGET
3. FORTRESSES
4. FORTUNE
5. FORBIDDING
6. FORGAVE
7. FORUM
8. FORTIES

Credit: LA Times Crossword
Sylvia Bursztyn and Barry Tunick
FOR STARTERS