TRIPLE BONDS II
NY Times Crossword
Oliver Hill and Eliza Bagg
April 3, 2011

The clues below will lead to an answer in which the first two words form a common phrase, the second and third words form a common phrase, and the first and third words form a common phrase. For example, given the clues

Chinese restaurant offering
Wonderland affair
Political group on the left,

the answers, in order, would be

Green tea
Tea party
Green Party =  GREEN TEA PARTY

NOTE: It's interesting, but a coincidence, that Tea Party is a political group on the right.

1)
Plunging, as a dress
Play hooky
Vulgar

2)
Cause of congestion
Detective's challenge
Loony

3)
Pet aisle product
School cafeteria outburst
Feline or female set-to

4)
Democratic territory
Cardinal, for one
"Over the Rainbow" flier

5)
National carrier for Alberta and Quebec
Iconic brand of ginger ale
Put clothes on a line

6)
Yellowish brown
"Dumb" attempt at humor
Mixed company no-no

7)
Winnie-the-Pooh has one
Baked entree
Term of endearment

Answers:

1. LOW CUT CLASS
2. HEAD COLD CASE
3. CAT FOOD FIGHT
4. BLUE STATE BIRD
5. AIR CANADA DRY
6. DIRTY BLOND JOKE
7. HONEY POT PIE