The phrases below have something in common. Can you determine what it is?

1. Romantic knights 
2. To be expected
3. Mean to say
4. Tired of lying
5. Grow a spine
6. Growing nation

HINT:
Each phrase conceals related words.

Answer:

Spanning two words in each phrase is the name of a bug:

1. romanTIC Knights
2. to BE Expected
3. meAN To say
4. tired oF LYing
5. groW A SPine
6. growinG NATion 

Credit: LA Times Crossword
January 10, 2013
Jennifer Nutt
SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG