NY Times Crossword

October 8, 2020

Francesca Goldston and Jeff Chen

 

Four clues and their answers are given below. The answers do not make sense, but can make sense if you apply a certain famous three-word adage to them. What is the adage, and what are the answers that correspond to the clues?

 

1. Occupied oneself - Passed the buck

2. Difficult period - Hard cash

3. Cheat on, say - Two cents

4. When many people solve crosswords - Spare change

Answers:

 

The adage is TIME IS MONEY (Benjamin Franklin). When the word TIME is substituted for the words referring to money in the answers, the answers make sense:

 

1. Occupied oneself - Passed the time

2. Difficult period - Hard time

3. Cheat on, say - Two time

4. When many people solve crosswords - Spare time