Elisa

I solved the whole thing but still didn't understand the theme until I came here!

I completed the puzzle without understanding the instructions. I read this whole post twice and I *still* don't understand. RAT OUT seems to mean you'd remove the entire word RAT and replace it with ...?? UTT? Or if you remove RA why would you replace it with UT rather than -- Oh, it's RA to UT OH. OK. They all have "to." It's all coming together, but sweet Jeez.