The Atlantic Crossword Answers & Hints - Solve Today's Grid

The answer is USHER because in the hit song "Yeah!" by Usher, his name is prominently repeated at the start of the track. This clue references the song's iconic beginning, where Usher introduces himself with his name.

The phrase "Like wary eyes" describes being highly alert and watchful. The term "eyes peeled" is a common expression meaning to stay vigilant or attentive. Hence, "PEELED" fits perfectly as the solution, capturing the metaphorical state of being wary or on high alert.

The answer "SCAMPI" refers to the Italian American dish "Shrimp Scampi," which is commonly served at Red Lobster. It combines Italian-style garlic butter sauce with shrimp, making it a well-known menu item and reflecting both Italian culinary influence and Red Lobster's seafood focus.

The clue "Make a mess of things, maybe?" hints at potentially making a mistake or an error, as suggested by "maybe," indicating uncertainty. The word "ERR" means to make a mistake or go wrong, matching the idea of creating a mess conceptually. The question mark indicates wordplay.

The answer is TET because it refers to the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration. During Tet, red envelopes containing money are traditionally given as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. This cultural custom explains the connection between the occasion and red envelopes.

The “pink end of a pencil” refers to the eraser, commonly found on pencils. To "use" it implies its function: removing errors or marks. Thus, the action described matches the word "ERASE," which means to remove or rub out, making it the perfect fit for the clue.

The phrase "Completely off-the-wall" means extremely unconventional or crazy. "BONKERS" is a slang term that similarly describes something or someone as crazy, absurd, or wildly eccentric, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning. It’s a straightforward synonym for the clue provided.

"BODS" is short for "bodies," referring to the muscular physiques commonly seen at Muscle Beach, a famous location associated with fitness and bodybuilding. This clue also specifies "for short," indicating the abbreviation. Thus, "BODS" aptly captures the sights one might expect there.

The answer "SMS" stands for Short Message Service, which is a technology used for sending text messages via mobile phones. The clue "Texting tech" directly refers to this widely used system, making SMS the fitting solution as the underlying technology for texting.

The clue "It might include cross promotions?" uses wordplay. "Cross promotions" hints at advertising (promotions) and "cross" suggests overlapping or roles crossing paths. ADWAR refers to "ad war," a competitive advertising strategy where ads cross-target audiences, often seen in rival campaigns. Hence, "ADWAR" ties to the wordplay effectively.

The clue references the actor Kumail from the film The Big Sick. Kumail Nanjiani, a comedian and actor, co-wrote and starred in this critically acclaimed 2017 romantic comedy-drama based on his own life. Thus, "NANJIANI" is the actor's last name and the correct answer.

The answer "INBASKET" fits because an "in-basket" (or inbox) is a place where tasks, documents, or items requiring attention are placed. A "to-do" label represents pending tasks, often associated with items in an in-basket, making it the right match for the clue.

The answer "THAT" is part of the title of Mariah Carey’s song "Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme)." The blank naturally completes the phrase "Can’t Take ___ Away," as "that" is the word used in the actual song title.

KASHA is the solution because "kasha varnishkes" is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish made with buckwheat groats (kasha) and bowtie pasta. The blank in the clue points to the first part of the dish name, making "kasha" a perfect fit for this comforting Jewish food.

A RAMEN EGG is a soft-boiled egg marinated in a mixture typically including soy sauce, giving it rich flavor and a dark hue. Often served with ramen, it qualifies as a snack steeped in soy sauce, aligning perfectly with the clue's description.

The clue "Bud" refers to a friend or companion. Since "amigo" is the Spanish word for "friend," it fits perfectly here. The clue hints at familiarity and camaraderie, and the absence of a foreign language indicator suggests its broader recognition as a term for "friend."

The phrase "Remember, remember, the 5th of November" is from a traditional English rhyme associated with Guy Fawkes Night, commemorating the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The blank is filled with "REMEMBER" to complete the rhyme accurately.

The clue "It's a whole thing" refers to the full range or extent of something. "GAMUT" means the complete range or spectrum, often used to describe something from beginning to end, encompassing everything—a whole thing. Hence, GAMUT fits perfectly as the solution.

The clue "My bad!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken or exclamatory phrase. "OOPS" is a common expression used to acknowledge a mistake, aligning perfectly with the informal tone of "My bad!" as an admission of error. Hence, OOPS is the solution.

The answer is ERROL because Errol Morris is a renowned filmmaker and documentarian, celebrated for works like The Thin Blue Line and Fog of War. The clue refers directly to his first name, making ERROL the correct solution.

The answer is TSOS, referring to General Tso's chicken. This popular American Chinese dish is named after General Tso Tsung-t'ang, a 19th-century Chinese military leader, though he wasn't associated with the dish. The clue directly points to this well-known dish, often sweet and tangy.

The clue "Curioser and curioser" references the phrase from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which plays with the idea of something becoming stranger or more unusual. The comparative form "curioser" suggests a progression, making "ODDER" (comparative of "odd") the appropriate, pun-filled answer.

The clue uses a linguistic analogy: "tschüss" is a German way to say "goodbye" informally. The French equivalent is "à bientôt," which means "see you soon" or "goodbye" in an informal context. This matches the analogy, making ABIENTOT the correct solution.

The clue "Bit of a concession speech, maybe?" uses wordplay. A concession speech often expresses acceptance of a loss. "No matter" is a dismissive phrase signifying something doesn’t significantly impact or is unimportant, commonly said when conceding or moving on. It fits the tone of a concession.

The clue "Rogers's partner" refers to the iconic dance and acting duo Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They starred together in many classic films, showcasing their chemistry and remarkable dance routines. ASTAIRE is the solution because he was Ginger Rogers's famous partner on screen.

The term "TWEEN" refers to preteens, typically kids aged 10-12, who are "in between" childhood and adolescence. Middle school generally includes grades 6-8, aligning with this age group, making "TWEEN" a fitting answer for "Many a middle schooler."

The clue "On the board, maybe" uses wordplay. "Board" can refer to a leaderboard or ranking board, often displaying positions or standings. Being "ranked" means appearing on such a board. The "maybe" hints at this figurative interpretation rather than a literal board. Thus, RANKED fits perfectly.

The clue "What 💀💀💀💀 might mean, in a text" uses emojis as a visual stand-in for "I'm dead." In texting slang, "I'm dead" humorously expresses being overwhelmed, often due to laughter or shock. Thus, the emoji skeletons represent this phrase, leading to the answer IMDEAD.

SEALY is the solution because it is a well-known mattress brand that produces the Posturepedic line, specifically designed to offer support and comfort. The word "Posturepedic" directly ties to this brand, making SEALY the correct answer.

The answer is AGNES because Saint Agnes of Rome was a child martyr who lived around 304 C.E. and is venerated in Christianity. According to tradition, she was executed after refusing marriage proposals, choosing to remain devoted to her faith and vow of purity.

The answer is "NITE" because "Nick at Nite" is the official name of Nickelodeon's after-dark programming block. It uses "Nite" as a playful, informal spelling of "night," aligning with the family-friendly and lighthearted tone of the network.

The answer is SANTA because "Santa Baby" is a famous Christmas song performed by Eartha Kitt in 1953. The blank in the clue indicates the missing word from the song's title, making SANTA the correct solution.

The term "MOTE" directly means a tiny speck, particle, or dot of something, like dust or dirt. "Speck" and "MOTE" are synonymous, making it the perfect fit for this clue. The straightforward definition aligns them both as something minuscule.

The answer is PST (Pacific Standard Time) because PST is the time zone that is exactly three hours behind EST (Eastern Standard Time). This reflects the standard time difference between the U.S. East Coast and West Coast regions.

TTY stands for "Teletypewriter," a device that enables text communication over phone lines, often used by individuals with hearing or speech impairments. It’s considered an early form of texting technology, aligning with the clue’s reference to "Texting tech."

AMA stands for "Ask Me Anything," a popular online event format where a host (often on platforms like Reddit) answers questions from participants. The abbreviation matches the clue's "abbr." hint, indicating a shortened form. "Online event with a host" aptly describes an AMA session.