NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
December 9, 2018
Will Shortz

Each of the words below can be made into familiar phrases according to a certain pattern. Can you determine what it is?

1. THINGS
2. EAT
3. SWEET
4. AGAINST
5. THOUSAND
6. MEANS
7. JAMES

HINT:
It has to do with using the same word twice.

Answer:

The same word can both precede and follow each of the clue words to make up a familiar phrase:

1. FIRST THINGS FIRST
2. DOG EAT DOG
3. HOME SWEET HOME
4. HOPE AGAINST HOPE
5. ONE THOUSAND ONE (Arabian Nights) 
6. NO MEANS NO 
7. BOND, JAMES BOND