- CLOSEBUTNOCIGAR
- CLAR
- Near-miss words
- Comment to 17-Across and 36-Across
- Disappointing
- That was a real good try
- Describing a near miss
- Almost!
- Not quite!, and what can be said about a letter string in the answer to each starred clue
- Almost there
- Sorry, you just missed
- Comment on a near-miss
- Off-the-target phrase
- Phrase for a narrow miss
- Title for Zeppo Marx's memoirs?
- Not quite” nyt 2004 CLOSEDDOORS See 70-Down nyt 2004 CLOSEIN Draw near nyt 2004 CLOSESCRUTINY Examination, redundantly nyt 2004 CLOSESET Like an owl's eyes nyt 2004 CLOSEST Like the winner in a guessing contest nyt 2004 CLOSESUP Sutures, say nyt 2004 CLOSET Skeleton site nyt 2004 CLOSETORGANIZER [ ] saver nyt 2004 CLOT Blood problem nyt 2004 CLOT Set nyt 2004 CLOTHESHORSE Person likely to have a big closet nyt 2004 CLOUD Cirrus or cumulus nyt 2004 CLOUDNINE Feeling of elation nyt 2004 CLOUT Pull nyt 2004 CLOUT Pull nyt 2004 CLOWNHALLOFFAME Where 17-Across was inducted in 1990 nyt 2004 CLOYED Was too sweet nyt 2004 CLUBCOUPES Two-door closed cars with back seats nyt 2004 CLUBSODAS Standard drink mixers nyt 2004 CLUE Detective's discovery nyt 2004 CLUE Detective's discovery nyt 2004 CLUE Hint nyt 2004 CLUE This is one nyt 2004 CLUE Whodunit board game nyt 2004 CLUE Whodunit board game nyt 2004 CLUED Like a crossword nyt 2004 CLUEIN Let know nyt 2004 CMD It follows a chain in the military: Abbr. nyt 2004 CMD Mil. authority nyt 2004 CMDR Naval leader: Abbr. nyt 2004 CMDR U.S.N. rank below Capt. nyt 2004 CMII Year in the reign of Edward the Elder nyt 2004 CML 950, to Caesar nyt 2004 CML Year that Eric the Red was born, traditionally nyt 2004 CMON Don't gimme that!"
- A winner … almost
- A bit off, sadly
- Words to a first runner-up
- Almost made it
- Pessimistic "almost"
- You almost had it
- Just missed!
- Near-miss remark that's a clue to 18-, 24-, 50- and 58-Across
- Almost, or a theme hint
- You just missed it!
- Like a near-miss
- Nice try
- Airline reports on seating in coach
