% replaces any number of letters (la% - lake, lamp)_ replaces one letter (ca_ - car, cat)

Crossword clues for Time, in this puzzle's theme 3 letters

AnswerClue
TEESecond of a pair of letters swapped six times in this puzzle's theme entries
ERATime, in this puzzle's theme
ESSFirst of a pair of letters swapped six times in this puzzle's theme entries
STUOne-time member of this puzzle theme's Sutcliffe
ABEPuzzle theme which appears nine more times in the grid
FOURNumber of times this puzzle's theme word appears diagonally in the grid (to complete the puzzle, shade those words plus the Down answers that begin where they meet)
REBUSCrossword puzzle theme feature, at times
DDAYDecisive time (or theme of this puzzle)
HIDINGOUTTheme of this puzzle, seen seven times in the grid
RANDRTime off, briefly, and this puzzle's theme
WAGETHEFTCrime that steals from workers ... as perpretrated against this puzzle's theme entries, one letter at a time?
AGESANDAGESVery long time, and a hint to this puzzle's theme
QANDASESSIONPress time (and a hint to this puzzle's theme)
SANDSMetaphor for time ... and, when divided into three words, puzzle theme found in the four longest across answers
DROPTHEBALLWhat they do in Times Square on Dec. 31st -- and the theme of this puzzle
HAPPYTRAILSTheme song of a classic western, visually suggested six times in this puzzle's grid