The following phrases share an unusual quality. Can you determine what it is?

1. Bobs up and down
2. Marks off the path
3. Bills the client
4. Peters out at the end
5. Pats on the shoulder
6. Chucks overboard

Answer:

By adding an apostrophe to the verbs that begin each sentence, they are changed to names, and the phrases change into sentences with entirely different meanings:

1. Bob's up and down. (Bob has mood swings.)
2. Mark's off the path. (He's not on the trail.) 
3. Bill's the client. (He has a lawyer.)
4. Peter's out at the end. (Peter eventually falls asleep.) 
5. Pat's on the shoulder. (Her car is on the side of the road.)
6. Chuck's overboard. (He fell off the boat or he's gotten carried away.) 

Credit: NY Times Crossword
Nelson Hardy
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