| 100% | BESTOF | 6 | Make the ___ a bad situation: 2 wds. |
| 72% | OHNO | 4 | "What a bad situation!": 2 wds. |
| 71% | AJAM | 4 | In ___ (stuck in a bad situation): 2 wds. |
| 57% | BOTCHUP | 7 | Make a bad mess of things (2 wds) |
| 56% | FEEDTHEFIRE | 11 | Make a bad situation worse |
| 55% | FLAMES | 6 | Fan the __, means to make a bad situation worse |
| 55% | ADD | 3 | ___ fuel to the fire (make a situation worse) |
| 55% | ADDS | 4 | ___ fuel to the fire (makes a situation worse) |
| 55% | CLEANUP | 7 | Make the place tidy: 2 wds. |
| 53% | RISESTO | 7 | ___ the occasion (performs well in a pressure situation): 2 wds. |
| 53% | OPEN | 4 | Make the first bid in a bridge game |
| 53% | ONPATROL | 8 | Making the rounds, as security officers: 2 wds. |
| 53% | OPEN | 4 | Make the first bid in a game of bridge |
| 52% | LOSECOUNT | 9 | Do a bad job of scorekeeping: 2 wds. |
| 52% | BELLYOFTHEBEAST | 15 | The middle of a bad situation |
| 51% | BONJOVI | 7 | "You Give Love a Bad Name" band: 2 wds. |
| 51% | IDO | 3 | Promise made by a bride: 2 wds. |
| 51% | ADDEDFUELTOTHEF | 15 | Made a volatile situation worse |
| 51% | SLIPUP | 6 | Make a mistake: 2 wds. |
| 50% | OPENACANOFWORMS | 15 | Attempt to fix something and inadvertently make the situation worse |
| 49% | GETIT | 5 | "Did you ___?" (question after a bad joke): 2 wds. |
| 49% | KEVINCOSTNER | 12 | Best Director Oscar winner for "Dances With Wolves" who was a Worst Director Razzie winner for "The Postman": 2 wds. |
| 49% | RANIN | 5 | Made a quick stop at the convenience store (2 wds.) |
| 49% | FUEL | 4 | Adding ___ to the fire (making a bad situation worse) |
| 49% | ADDINSULT | 9 | To __ to injury, make a situation far worse |
| 48% | IDO | 3 | Promise made during a wedding ceremony: 2 wds. |
| 48% | XOUT | 4 | Make a mark through: 2 wds. |
| 48% | HITON | 5 | Make a pass at: 2 wds. |
| 48% | POPIN | 5 | Make a surprise visit: 2 wds. |
| 48% | HAPPENBY | 8 | Make a chance appearance: 2 wds. |