| 100% | BUS | 3 | Common excuse (2/4) "I'm sorry I'm late for work, but I missed my ___!" |
| 81% | WIFI | 4 | Common excuse (1/4) "I'm sorry I was late for the video call, but my ___ connection wasn't working!" |
| 77% | TIRE | 4 | Common excuse (3/4) "I'm sorry I'm late for work, but I had a flat ___!" |
| 74% | BAD | 3 | Common excuse (4/4) "I'm sorry I'm late for work, but there was some really ___ traffic on the way!" |
| 32% | BYFAR | 5 | "You may be my lucky star / But I'm the luckiest ___" (Madonna lyric): 2 wds. |
| 32% | MYDOGATEIT | 10 | Excuse for missing work? |
| 31% | IMPORTANT | 9 | "I'm late! I'm late! For a very __ date!" |
| 31% | FORE | 4 | "Hey, sorry that I'm not a great golfer, but watch out for that ball I just hit!" |
| 30% | DIANA | 5 | I was the Princess of Wales and I was known for my charity work |
| 29% | MADEA | 5 | "I'm sorry I ___ mistake." (goofed up): 2 wds. |
| 29% | ILET | 4 | "I'm sorry if ___ you down" ("I'm sorry for disappointing you"): 2 wds. |
| 29% | HED | 3 | "It's my work, ___ say, and I do it for pay" (Dylan lyric) |
| 29% | WEA | 3 | "Aren't ___ little late for the show?" ("We will miss the beginning"): 2 wds. |
| 29% | NIGHTSHIFT | 10 | Late for work? |
| 28% | GRACIE | 6 | "I Miss You, I'm Sorry" singer Abrams |
| 27% | HALE | 4 | I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country speaker |
| 27% | REGRET | 6 | "That I have but one life to lose for my country," to Hale |
| 27% | INEEDTORUN | 10 | "Sorry, guys, can't be late for my next meeting" |
| 27% | CLOSEUP | 7 | Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my __, Sunset Boulevard |
| 26% | ONIT | 4 | "Don't worry, I'm working ___": 2 wds. |
| 26% | DEBORAHKERR | 11 | "The King and I" actress who was nominated for six Oscars but never won one: 2 wds. |
| 26% | NIGHTFEVER | 10 | 1978 #1 hit with the lyrics "Here I am, praying for this moment to last": 2 wds. |
| 26% | ORSOITWOULDSEEM | 15 | ''Apparently . . . but I have my doubts'' |
| 26% | CAPTAINAHAB | 11 | "From hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee" speaker |
| 26% | SATANS | 6 | “___ Bed” (Pearl Jam song with the lyric “I’ll wait for an angel, but I won’t hold my breath”) |
| 26% | CLEOPATRA | 9 | I was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt and am known for my beauty |
| 26% | IMEASY | 6 | "Either one works for me" (2 wds.) |
| 26% | CHICAGO | 7 | "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" rock band with a city for a name |
| 26% | HANGIN | 6 | "___ there, I'm on my way!" ("Hold on"): 2 wds. |
| 25% | HALE | 4 | Nathan who said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" |