| 100% | ANAG | 4 | "I hate to be ___, but ... " (complaint opening) (2 wds.) |
| 66% | SAYIT | 5 | "I hate to ___, but..." (tell): 2 wds. |
| 62% | ANAG | 4 | "I know I'm being ___, but ... " (reminder opening) (2 wds.) |
| 53% | OHMAN | 5 | "You've got to be kidding me" (2 wds.) |
| 53% | CAROLYNHAX | 10 | Advice guru whose self-titled column used to be called "Tell Me About It": 2 wds. |
| 51% | VENUSWILLIAMS | 13 | First African-American tennis player to be ranked #1 in women's singles during the Open Era: 2 wds. |
| 48% | ANAG | 4 | "I hate to be ___ ..." |
| 48% | ANO | 3 | "I went to the event, but he was ___-show": 2 wds. |
| 48% | ORNOT | 5 | "... but I could be wrong" (2 wds.) |
| 48% | ALOT | 4 | Leave ___ to be desired: 2 wds. |
| 48% | ALAW | 4 | "There ought to be ___!": 2 wds. |
| 48% | ENDUP | 5 | Turn out to be: 2 wds. |
| 48% | INTROUBLE | 9 | About to be punished: 2 wds. |
| 48% | INMY | 4 | "___ opinion...": 2 wds. (according to me) |
| 48% | GUY | 3 | "I hate to be that ___ ..." |
| 47% | OHCOMEON | 8 | "You've got to be kidding me!" (3 wds.) |
| 47% | TODO | 4 | A list of tasks to be performed: 2 wds. |
| 47% | ORNO | 4 | "Yes ___?" ("What's it going to be?"): 2 wds. |
| 47% | ONTAP | 5 | Ready to be poured, at a bar: 2 wds. |
| 47% | ONTAP | 5 | Ready to be poured from a keg: 2 wds. |
| 47% | IDO | 3 | Words from one about to be committed: 2 wds. |
| 47% | ONTAP | 5 | Ready to be served, at a bar: 2 wds. |
| 47% | ONTAP | 5 | Ready to be drawn from the keg: 2 wds. |
| 47% | ONTAP | 5 | Ready to be poured, at a pub: 2 wds. |
| 47% | PAPERJAM | 8 | Photocopier issue that needs to be unstuck: 2 wds. |
| 47% | ITSA | 4 | "___ great day to be alive!": 2 wds. |
| 47% | DONOW | 5 | "What am I supposed to ___!?" (2 wds.) |
| 47% | MAEWEST | 7 | "I used to be Snow White, but I drifted" |
| 46% | IFSO | 4 | "Should that prove to be true ...": 2 wds. |
| 46% | YESYOU | 6 | "Who else would I be talking to?" (2 wds.) |