NY Times Crossword
December 3, 2019
Ed Sessa

The answers to the clues below hint at a (slightly altered) common expression, according to a certain pattern. Kudos if you can see it right away. For the rest of us, use the answers and the hints below them to determine the pattern and the expression. The order of the clues and their answers is important.

1. Inclination to follow the majority
2. Phone inadvertantly
3. Boy Scout handbook topic
4. One upstaging a star, for example

Answers:

1. Herd instinct
2. Butt dial
3. Knot tying
4. Scene stealer

HINTS to the pattern and expression:
a. What a voice actor is
b. Opposite of a traditional view of children
c. Homophones of the first words of each answer

Answer:

HEARD BUT NOT SEEN 

Note:
Ed Sessa, the constructor, writes:

Da Vinci described poetry as "a painting which is heard but not seen." POETRY was my initial revealer for this puzzle, but it was nixed.