VANISHING ACTS
NY Times Crossword
Robert H. Wolfe

This is a difficult puzzle.  Each clue is part of a familiar phrase that is missing a key word. A "vanishing" word can precede or follow this key word. The key word will complete the phrase suggested by the clue, and the "vanishing" word and the key word will form a second familiar phrase. For example, given the clue AFORE-THOUGHT, the missing word is MALICE. The "vanishing" word is ABSENCE, as in MALICE AFORE-THOUGHT and ABSENCE OF MALICE.

1. OUT TIME
2. IT'S THAT COUNTS
3. BRAND
4. CUFF
5. AND A FOR A
6. AT A
7. FOUR OF THE EARTH

HINTS:
Key words:
1 CHECK
2.THOUGHT
3. NAME
4. LINKS
5. TOOTH
6. PREMIUM
7. CORNERS

 Answers - Key word phrase
1. CHECK OUT TIME
2. IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS 
3. BRAND NAME
4. CUFF LINKS
5. AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH
6. AT A PREMIUM
7. FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH

Answers - "Vanishing" word phrase:
1. BOUNCED CHECK
2. PERISH THE THOUGHT
3. NAME DROPPER
4. MISSING LINKS
5. TOOTH EXTRACTIONS
6. WAIVER OF PREMIUM
7. CUTTING CORNERS