The answers to the clues below will have something in common.

1. Clumsy

2. Warning

3. Advantage 

4. Get serious

5. Stay focused

6. Immersed in reading 

7. First step toward a goal

8. A particular area or locality

9. Decisively, without question 

10. Be involved in a lot of different things

11. Say something embarrassing or tactless 

12. Be caught stealing or doing something wrong

Answers:

 

1. All thumbs

2. Heads up

3. Have a leg up

4. Knuckle down

5. Keep your eye on the ball

6. Nose in a book

7. Foot in the door

8. Neck of the woods 

9. Hands down 

10. Have a finger in every pie

11. Put your foot in your mouth

12. Caught with your hand in the cookie jar