NY Times Crossword
July 28, 2019
Christopher Adams
(Title shown below)

The following word, name, and phrases each conceal the same word - with the letters in consecutive, but scrambled, order. Can you spot the word and guess the title and theme of this puzzle?

ATMOSPHERE
CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE
BLAST FROM THE PAST
FOR THE MOST PART
PRIMROSE PATH

HINT:
The concealed word has nine letters.

Answer:

ATMOSPHERe
chriSTOPHER MArlowe
blast fROM THE PASt
for tHE MOST PARt
priMROSE PATH - - - - - - - METAPHORS

Puzzle theme and title: MIXED METAPHORS

Note: Many puzzles have "mixed-up letter" themes, but to have five examples of a nine-letter word is extraordinary.