NY Times Crossword
June 21, 2005
Nancy Kavanaugh

The twenty-two words below can be paired up into eleven familiar two-word phrases - but not with each other. Twenty-two other words are needed. Once you see the pattern, it will be easy. But what's the pattern?

DUCK            CONCERN
UNCLE          ROOM
NEST              HAIR
DEAL             STICK
DAY                RELATIONS
PEACE           MATE
FACE              DOWN
HOUSE           SOON
WEIGHT        TOWN
STORY           ASLEEP
END               WORKS

(BIG) HINT:
DUCK pairs up with ROOM.

Answers:

Sitting duck - Standing room
Rich uncle - Poor relations
Empty nest - Full house
Big deal - Small town
Dying day - Living end
Find peace - Lose weight 
Happy face - Sad story
Going concern - Coming soon
Bad hair - Good works
Walking stick - Running mate
Slow down - Fast asleep