Almost an excellent grid. Very clever. But a bit frustrating that it marked me as incorrect for specifying Mate, Bud, Chum and Pal. The words themselves aren’t actually synonyms for friend - just the first part of the words. Be good if you could expand your accepted answer for this category. Otherwise good fun. Thank you.

Gardening leave??? Where does such a thing exist?? I'd like that, along with clean out the basement and the garage leave.

@bigz "Gardening leave"
It's sometimes a euphemism for being suspended from a job.
As in we'd like to sack you, but we can't.
So best you jump before you're pushed.