Sunday Express 2Nd December

[Frustrate]

Hi folks. A particularly nasty one this week but could do with some help on at least 4!!
2a "people in high, rather" 7 letters ???????. 7d "it's abuse and as such reduced by a quarter" 9 letters ???e?????. 9d"rejection of lies spoken first in bleak surroundings" 9 letters ?????????. 3d "a horrendous plan to act the fool" 11 letters 2 words ????EA?????. Sorry it's so many but hope you can help. Frustrate

[Mamyalynne]

7 Persecute

Per se + Cut + E (East/quarter)

[Mamyalynne]

3 Horse around

anag a horrendous

[Davemano]

2a Inhabit
7d Persecute
9d Dismissal
3d Horsearound

[Frustrate]

Many thanks Mamyalyne & Davemano for your help. Am now stuck on 11a as I thought the answer was "example" (CSE!) but persecute gives an "s"to start so can you help please with 11a "CSE described to a class for real" 7 letters
s?????e Frustrate

[dannyk13]

Inhabit
Persecute
Dismissal
Horse around

[dannyk13]

11a.Sincere

[Frustrate]

Many thanks. Frustrate