| 100% | RERACKED | 8 | Prepared for a new break, in billiards |
| 57% | REARM | 5 | Prepare for a new assault |
| 57% | RETRAIN | 7 | Prepare for a new job |
| 57% | RETRAIN | 7 | Prepare for a new career |
| 57% | NESTED | 6 | Prepared for a new arrival, say |
| 53% | SET | 3 | Prepare for a spike, in volleyball |
| 53% | POSTUP | 6 | Prepare for a pass, in basketball |
| 52% | CARBOLOADS | 10 | Prepares for a marathon, in a way |
| 52% | HID | 3 | Prepared for a surprise party, in a way |
| 51% | GET | 3 | With 50-Across, prepare for sex with a new partner, in a way |
| 51% | CORED | 5 | Prepared for pie, in a way |
| 51% | STERILE | 7 | Prepared for surgery, in a way |
| 51% | PITSTOP | 7 | Break in a race for refuelling |
| 51% | FLOURS | 6 | Prepares for frying, in a way |
| 51% | POSTDATE | 8 | Prepare for later, in a way |
| 51% | FLOURS | 6 | Prepares for baking, in a way |
| 51% | ANOINT | 6 | Prepare for sacrifice, in a way |
| 51% | CHOP | 4 | Prepare for sushi, in a way |
| 51% | ENROBE | 6 | Prepare for court, in a way |
| 51% | SPARRING | 8 | Preparing for battle, in a way |
| 51% | TIDYUP | 6 | Prepare for company, in a way |
| 50% | RESOIL | 6 | Prepare for new planting, as a garden |
| 49% | CALLSTIME | 9 | Asks for a break in play |
| 48% | ROCKETTES | 9 | Line for a show in New York? |
| 48% | STOCKUP | 7 | Prepare for an emergency, in a way |
| 48% | DEICE | 5 | Prepare for the runway, in a way |
| 48% | QUARTERTOSEVEN | 14 | Time for a network news commercial break, perhaps |
| 48% | REZONE | 6 | Designate a new use for, in real estate |
| 47% | PARKAVENUECOUGARQUEST | 21 | Search for a cradle-robbing woman in New York City? |
| 45% | LAGS | 4 | Vies for the break, in billiards |