| 100% | SAUTE | 5 | Start to prepare, as 49-Across |
| 51% | NOBAKE | 6 | Easy to prepare, as desserts |
| 51% | LOOSENS | 7 | Starts to remove, as screws |
| 50% | BREW | 4 | Start to form, as a storm |
| 50% | FRAY | 4 | Start to deteriorate, as a cord |
| 50% | FRAY | 4 | Start to unravel, as a towel |
| 50% | TAKEROOT | 8 | Start to grow, as a tree |
| 50% | ROT | 3 | Start to stink, as a banana |
| 50% | PINSUP | 6 | Starts to raise, as a hem |
| 50% | MELTY | 5 | Starting to drip, as ice cream |
| 50% | ASKSFOR | 7 | Starts to negotiate, as a price |
| 50% | TAKESUP | 7 | Starts to learn, as a hobby |
| 49% | SCRAMBLE | 8 | Use a whisk to prepare, as eggs |
| 49% | GETSWEIRD | 9 | Starts to feel sketchy, as a situation |
| 48% | PRESERVE | 8 | To prepare food so as to avoid decomposition |
| 48% | REOPENS | 7 | Starts to investigate again, as a cold case |
| 48% | BOO | 3 | "Scary" start to each Across clue |
| 48% | GETON | 5 | Prepare to 127 Across |
| 48% | AFFIX | 5 | Add-on to the start or end of a word stem (as in 17-, 25-, 35-, 49- and 57-Across) |
| 47% | TEEUP | 5 | Prepare to start a hole |
| 46% | UNBAG | 5 | Prepare to put away, as groceries |
| 46% | UNTIE | 5 | Prepare to take off, as sneaks |
| 46% | UNLACE | 6 | Prepare to remove, as shoes |
| 46% | SOAK | 4 | Prepare to cook, as chickpeas |
| 46% | LOAD | 4 | Prepare to run, as software |
| 46% | CRATEUP | 7 | Prepare to move, as artwork |
| 46% | SLICESUP | 8 | Prepares to serve, as melon |
| 46% | HUSKED | 6 | Prepared to cook, as corn |
| 46% | SLICED | 6 | Prepared to serve, as pie |
| 45% | UPLOAD | 6 | Prepare to share, maybe, as a song |