| CHECKPOINTS | Border stops ... or a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| ENDOFTHEROAD | Final stop ... or a hint to finding the first key letter in this puzzle |
| CHECK | From a chess term, a word for a sudden stop; or, a test to evaluate the standard of something (5) |
| PORT | Cruise ship stop or a kind of wine |
| PIGEONHOLES | Typecasts, in a way ... or a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| CENTRALAC | Incentive to stay indoors on a sweltering day, informally ... or a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| EGG | Winter driving hazard ... or a literal hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| FUELUP | Go from empty to full, and a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| LOVEHATERELATIONSHIPS | They involve mixed feelings ... or a hint to four squares in this completed puzzle |
| BLACKFRIDAY | Time of annual madness ... or a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| CABLEBOXES | TV adjuncts ... or a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| THEBABYISASLEEP | New parent's whispered admonition ... or a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| STUFFINGTHEBIRD | Meal prep activity before many Thanksgiving dinners ... or a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| BLOCK | Beachgoer's protection, and a literal hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| CORNERTHEMARKET | Monopolize, and a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| HANDRBLOCK | Tax giant, as well as a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| SLEEPERCELL | Operatives living in secret, and a hint to four squares in this grid |
| RADIO | It can be two-way ... with a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| INBOXZERO | Ambitious email goal, and a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
| TURNINGPOINTS | Decisive moments, and a hint to four squares in this puzzle |
