NY Times Crossword
March 8, 2012
Bill Thompson

The clues below lead to a common two-word expression. Can you determine what it is?

VARIETY SHOW
WOMEN'S BOARD
OSTEOPATH
PLANT SEDGE

HINT:
It has to do with the beginning and ending letters of each clue.

Answer:

The beginning and ending letters of each clue, in various configurations, spell out a word that is synonymous with PROMISE, but is broken up by intervening letters:

Variety shOW
WOmen's boaRD
OsteopATH
PLand seDGE