| Brief time to shop? | 19 |
| Brief time pieces? | 18 |
| Brief time periods, briefly | 27 |
| Brief time periods | 18 |
| Brief time period | 17 |
| Brief time out? | 15 |
| Brief time out | 14 |
| Brief time off? | 15 |
| Brief time off from work | 24 |
| Brief time for confession | 25 |
| Brief time (found in all four theme answers) | 44 |
| Brief time | 10 |
| Brief thief | 11 |
| Brief text? | 11 |
| Brief term of endearment | 24 |
| Brief tale | 10 |
| Brief synopsis | 14 |
| Brief swimwear sales rep? | 25 |
| Brief swims | 11 |
| Brief swim | 10 |
| Brief summons | 13 |
| Brief summary | 13 |
| Brief summaries, briefly | 24 |
| Brief substitute for the unnamed | 32 |
| Brief strangers? | 16 |
| Brief story that might open a speech | 36 |
| Brief story | 11 |
| Brief stop | 10 |
| Brief stomach soother | 21 |
| Brief stay | 10 |
| Brief statement, by necessity | 29 |
| Brief start | 11 |
| Brief star appearance | 21 |
| Brief stage part | 16 |
| Brief squabble | 14 |
| Brief spot | 10 |
| Brief spokesperson | 18 |
| Brief spell of energy | 21 |
| Brief spat | 10 |
| Brief sparkle | 13 |
| Brief solo number | 17 |
| Brief solo | 10 |
| Brief snooze | 12 |
| Brief smokes? | 13 |
| Brief slumber | 13 |
| Brief sleeps | 12 |
| Brief sleep | 11 |
| Brief sketch | 12 |
| Brief sighs of relief? | 22 |
| Brief siesta | 12 |
| Brief shower? | 13 |
| Brief shots? | 12 |
| Brief shock | 11 |
| Brief Shakespearean reproach | 28 |
| Brief sentiment | 15 |
| Brief sellout sign | 18 |
| Brief second | 12 |
| Brief sec | 9 |
| Brief scrapbook item | 20 |
| Brief scouting outing? | 22 |
| Brief scene | 11 |
| Brief salutation for men? | 25 |
| Brief salutation | 16 |
| Brief runs | 10 |
| Brief rule? | 11 |
| Brief rule | 10 |
| Brief romance | 13 |
| Brief roles | 11 |
| Brief role for a film star | 26 |
| Brief role | 10 |
| Brief road race, briefly | 24 |
| Brief ringing sound | 19 |
| Brief ring finish | 17 |
| Brief resume | 12 |
| Brief rest | 10 |
| Brief response: Abbr. | 21 |
| Brief respites | 14 |
| Brief respite | 13 |
| Brief researcher, briefly | 25 |
| Brief reproach | 14 |
| Brief reply?: Abbr. | 19 |
| Brief reply? | 12 |
| Brief reminder | 14 |
| Brief remark upon retiring | 26 |
| Brief remark | 12 |
| Brief relief | 12 |
| Brief relative of "yada, yada, yada" | 46 |
| Brief relative of ''yada, yada, yada'' | 54 |
| Brief regrets, maybe | 20 |
| Brief refreshers | 16 |
| Brief refresher | 15 |
| Brief record | 12 |
| Brief reading? | 14 |
| Brief reader, briefly | 21 |
| Brief read? | 11 |
| Brief raptures | 14 |
| Brief rainfall | 14 |
| Brief rage | 10 |
| Brief race distance, briefly | 28 |
| Brief race | 10 |