the watch of time

Autumn is definitely in vogue, so time to fall into more enriched clichés (with the originals in italics):

• If you sit tight you might just barely make it into your airline seat these days
• Well, you threw it there in a fit of pique, so it’s up to you to retrieve that skate on thin ice
• Playing bridge in hot weather, if you win a slam dunk yourself in the pool as a reward
• They should use more clothes to cover up those unsightly skeletons in the closet
• Before wearing it let the slip through your fingers to check out the comfort of the material
• Since you need two sizes of eggs, take six of one, half a dozen of another from a larger box
• Seeing how a determined ‘Slow and steady’ wins the race proves this pepped up turtle really can compete
• If it’s really that slippery slope your feet sideways to get a better grip  
• His self-serving goal is to be as sly as a fox would surely appreciate
• Small potatoes are appealing, as they take up less room in the ground and are less work to prepare