| 100% | MIXTAPE | 7 | This-and-that recording for a friend or a party |
| 56% | GETREADYWITHME | 14 | Friend's invitation before a party, or a TikTok genre that shows off the starts of 20-, 30-, and 41-Across |
| 51% | LPS | 3 | Old records ... or a hint for this puzzle's seven longest answers |
| 50% | MEASURE | 7 | Legal term for a rule or standard, and something that is a lawyer's concern |
| 50% | LIT | 3 | Descriptor for a candle or a party |
| 49% | HOVERFLY | 8 | Insect often mistaken for a wasp or bee that feeds on the nectar and pollen of flowers |
| 49% | PHONOGRAM | 9 | Symbol that stands for a sound or a word |
| 48% | WINWINSITUATION | 15 | Scenario that works out for everyone... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 48% | DONTSTARTWITHME | 15 | Words that might begin (or prevent) an argument, and a grammar tip for the three speakers in this puzzle |
| 47% | PLAYLIST | 8 | Creation for a party or a run |
| 47% | COLDOPEN | 8 | Certain TV intro ... or a description of each of 12 letters in the grid (the starts of six Across entries and then six Down entries) that spell out an alternate title for this puzzle |
| 47% | SHOWER | 6 | Bridal ___, traditional party for a bride-to-be where her female relatives and friends give her gifts |
| 46% | OUT | 3 | This 2024 movie that brought emotions to the screen and shattered records. Give it up for Pixar's "Inside ___ 2"! |
| 46% | GROUPCHAT | 9 | Conversation among friends ... or a hint to the animal collectives in the starred answers and the conversations that follow them |
| 46% | EMBLEM | 6 | Visible symbol that stands for a family or company |
| 45% | XXXXXX | 6 | Place for a record or arm |
| 45% | AGEDIFFERENCE | 13 | 83, for the creators of this puzzle ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 25-, 51- and 60-Across |
| 45% | ITSUPTOYOU | 10 | "I'll defer on this one" ... or a hint for what's found in 3-, 9-, 21- and 24-Down? |
| 45% | OTHER | 5 | Partner for this and that, with "the" |
| 45% | CATERING | 8 | Providing food for a party or event |
| 44% | FUSSES | 6 | Makes a to-do about this and that |
| 44% | PETSAT | 6 | Cared for a friend's dog or cat |
| 44% | COLDWEATHER | 11 | Forecast that calls for a scarf and gloves |
| 44% | MALAPHOR | 8 | Informal term for a sentence that mixes two idioms or cliches, like the ones found in 20a, 42a, 58a, 24d, and 25d |
| 43% | RAIN | 4 | "___ On Me," song by Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga ... or a shower from above that may fill up the water bodies mentioned in this puzzle |
| 43% | BIRTHDAYBERET | 13 | Hat that sounds right for a poet's annual party? |
| 43% | RPM | 3 | 45 or 78, for a record |
| 43% | H&RBLOCK | 8 | Subject of the Final Jeopardy! question that knocked out Ken Jennings after a record 74 wins ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 43% | PER | 3 | For this or that |
| 43% | RHYTHM | 6 | ___ and Blues, also the word for a beat that a drummer keeps |