THEM'S THE BREAKS
NY Times Crossword
March 21, 2010
Adam Fromm

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

1. Double spaces
2. Train spotters
3. Police stakeouts
4. Light switches
5. Show stoppers
6. Turnstiles
7. Tailspins
8. Oil spills
9. Landscapes

Answer:

Each clue can be parsed into a different phrase:

1. Doubles paces
2. Trains potters
3. Polices takeouts
4. Lights witches
5. Shows toppers
6. Turns tiles
7. Tails pins
8. Oils pills
9. Lands capes 

Note from JA: Another approach to this puzzle would be to start with a clue like "Increases speed" to get "Doubles paces" - which parses into "Double spaces."