| 100% | CLAYS | 5 | They're fired before being sent home |
| 52% | VINTAGERACECARS | 15 | Before being retired, they were frequently re-tired |
| 39% | NESTS | 5 | Tweets are sent out from them |
| 38% | SHOWERS | 7 | An ejected player might be sent to them |
| 38% | PACES | 5 | They may be taken before drawing |
| 38% | YOGAMATS | 8 | They may be unrolled before meditation |
| 38% | BATHS | 5 | They may be drawn before bedtime |
| 38% | SPOTS | 5 | They may be before your eyes |
| 37% | HOPES | 5 | They may be high before a competition |
| 37% | EXPOS | 5 | Nationals, before they were Nationals |
| 37% | DIFFICULT | 9 | Before things are easy they are like this |
| 37% | DUKES | 5 | They may be put up before a fight |
| 37% | ALIASES | 7 | They may be adopted before people leave town |
| 37% | RUGBURNS | 8 | They may be caused by friction at home |
| 36% | JEANS | 5 | Cutoffs, maybe, before they were cutoffs |
| 36% | TITANSOFNEWYORK | 15 | Jets, before they were the Jets |
| 36% | RECEIVERS | 9 | They are sent in to deal with failing institutions |
| 36% | READY | 5 | Word before the starter pistol is fired |
| 36% | BALLOONS | 8 | They may be sent up in trials |
| 36% | NOBLEMEN | 8 | Pirates of Penzance, before they were pirates |
| 36% | LATEBELLS | 9 | Students should be in class before them |
| 36% | NEURONS | 7 | They're fired for thinking |
| 35% | DISMISS | 7 | Fire; send a class home at the end of school |
| 35% | NOT | 3 | Do ___ count your chickens before they are hatched |
| 35% | CHICKENS | 8 | Don't count your __ before they are hatched |
| 35% | GUILDERS | 8 | Dutch currency before they were replaced by euros |
| 34% | NEWCARS | 7 | Ones that are tired before they've even moved? |
| 34% | TEES | 4 | They're fired at fans in stadiums |
| 34% | GREAT | 5 | With 3-Down, HOMES is a mnemonic for them |
| 34% | CARDS | 5 | They're sent on birthdays |