Possible Clues:

• All does not go smoothly for this rag set for fire
• We hear of Alfred and Alexander, perhaps, in scrapes
• Grinds away at university course, say
• Takes the big cheese down to size?
• Irritates, with "on"
• Firing there is most annoying
• Sidewalk openings
• The speed in G&S irritates
• In them you get no thanks for firing
• Rasps or irritates