CLUES COME IN 2s
NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
May 12, 2019
Will Shortz

The answers to the clues below are familiar two-word phrases. The middle four letters spell a word - as shown in the clues. Add one letter at the beginning and one letter at the end of the clue to get the phrase. Hints to the meaning of the phrases are given below. For example, given the clue EDDY, you could add an R at the beginning and an E at the end to get RED EYE. The hint could have been "food additive." 

1. INCA
2. TRES
3. FLAT
4. ROTE
5. LIPO
6. ORAL
7. RAGU
8. HERA
9. ABEL
10. ARGO
11. OSLO
12. NAPA
13. EASE
14. OLDE

HINTS:
1. INCA - container
2. TRES - stationary
3. FLAT - recent
4. ROTE - temporary
5. LIPO - tie
6. ORAL - Pledge words
7. RAGU - Renew an old issue
8. HERA - Zodiac symbol
9. ABEL - Communications giant
10. ARGO - Mars
11. OSLO - Pokey
12. NAPA - Be short with
13. EASE - Set of china dishes
14. OLDE - Type of a poker game

Answers:

1. TIN CAN
2. AT REST
3. OF LATE
4. PRO TEM
5. CLIP-ON
6. FOR ALL
7. DRAG UP
8. THE RAM
9. MA BELL
10. WAR GOD
11. SO SLOW
12. SNAP AT
13. TEA SET
14. HOLD 'EM