The words and phrases below can be changed into new words by doing the same thing to two letters in each word or phrase. Can you determine the change and the new words?

1. CURVEBALL
2. HAPPY ENDING
3. EAST ORANGE
4. PENNY ANTE
5. MAELSTROM
6. BATTLE CRY

BIG HINT:
The two letters in each word are dropped.

Answers:

Dropping two letters from each clue gives these new words:

1. CURE-ALL
2. HAPPENING
3. ESTRANGE
4. PENNANT
5. MAESTRO
6. BATTERY

Credit: NY Times Crossword
Patrick Berry - Dec. 8, 2013
TWO OUTS  (adapted)