IN THE CARDS I
Credit: NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
September 18, 2010
Will Shortz

Each clue below can be answered with an expression in the form of IN THE ________ . The clue gives the meaning of the expression and the interior letters of the answer word. For example, given the clue LIKELY - ARD, the answer would be IN THE CARDS.

1. Absolved of responsibility - LEA
2. Sad - UMP
3. Being planned - ORK
4. Even a little - EAS
5. Largely - AI
6. Strong and healthy - IN
7. Unaware of things - AR
8. Ahead of everyone else - EA
9. Inclined to do something right now - OO
10. Naked - UF
11. For all to see - PE
12. Naked - A
13. Having a negative balance sheet - E
14. While the very thing is going on - C
15. Finally - N

Answers:

1. In the CLEAR
2. In the DUMPS
3. In the WORKS
4. In the LEAST
5. In the MAIN
6. In the PINK
7. In the DARK
8. In the LEAD
9. In the MOOD
10. In the BUFF
11. In the OPEN
12. In the RAW
13. In the RED
14. In the ACT
15. In the END

NOTE from JA: This puzzle is more interesting - and not that difficult -  if you do not include the interior letters, or just use them as hints.