Where a date might give you chocolate? - The Atlantic Crossword Clue

The clue refers to Kim Possible, the title character of the popular Disney Channel animated series that aired from 2002 to 2007. KIM is her first name, completing the title "Kim Possible," a teenage spy and hero known for her adventures.

The phrase "Anyone have objections?" is typically heard during a wedding ceremony before the vows are exchanged. A potential response to this, affirming one's willingness to proceed, is "I do," which is spoken during the vows. "I do" fits as a direct spoken response, making "IDO" the correct solution.

The term "NERDVANA" is a playful pun combining "nerd" and "nirvana," referencing a state of bliss. Comic-Con is a haven for fans of pop culture, comics, and more—often deemed "nerds." The clue hints at this joyous, immersive experience, making NERDVANA a fitting, humorous solution.

The clue "Actor Radcliffe or Kaluuya" refers to two well-known actors who share the same first name: Daniel Radcliffe, famous for playing Harry Potter, and Daniel Kaluuya, acclaimed for roles in "Get Out" and "Black Panther." Thus, the correct answer is DANIEL.

The answer "ALIEN" fits because "completely unfamiliar" implies something foreign, strange, or entirely unknown—qualities often associated with the word "alien." The addition of "say" in the clue further suggests that this is an interpretive or descriptive match rather than a direct synonym.

The phrase humorously suggests something so simple that even a caveman—often stereotypically viewed as primitive—could handle it. Thus, the answer "IT'S EASY" fits as it aligns with the notion of simplicity.

The clue specifies "in Italy," signaling the answer is in Italian. In Italian, "Natale" translates to "Christmas." Therefore, the correct solution is "NATALE," which directly corresponds to the Italian word for the holiday celebrated in December.

The clue "What a chef may stand over" refers to the typical position of a chef while cooking. A chef often stands over a stove to prepare meals, as the stove is a primary cooking appliance used for heating, frying, boiling, or sautéing food in the kitchen.

The answer "EOS" refers to Canon's "Electro-Optical System" camera series, introduced in 1987. This innovative series marked a shift with electronic lens mounts for autofocus capabilities. The name also alludes to Eos, the Greek goddess of dawn, symbolizing a new era in photography technology.

The clue "Members of some string ensembles" refers to instruments in a string group. VIOLAS are string instruments that are often part of orchestras and smaller ensembles, alongside violins, cellos, and basses. The plural "members" confirms multiple instruments, aligning with "VIOLAS" as the answer.

The solution "INFERS" fits the clue "Deduces" because both words mean drawing a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning. To infer is to deduce or conclude indirectly by analyzing clues or context, which is synonymous with the definition of "Deduces."

The clue "Dipped, familiarly" plays on the word "dipped," which colloquially can mean to leave quickly or depart. "Familiarly" signals a slang expression. The answer "LEFT" fits because it is a casual way of saying someone departed or "dipped" from a situation.

The clue "Parts of stand-up comics' routines?" with a question mark signals wordplay. "Open mics" are events where comics practice routines, forming parts of their careers. The pun ties "open mics" (events) to “parts” of their craft, creating a witty connection.

The clue uses a playful hint since NUTELLA is a popular spread made from hazelnuts, not peanuts. The reference to a "new peanut variety released in 2026" adds a humorous touch, as if suggesting a creative twist for Nutella's ingredients, fitting the pun-like nature of the clue.

In GarageBand, a popular music creation app, an "AMP" is a preset or tool used to simulate the sound of an amplifier. This clue references the feature directly, as amps are commonly used by musicians to shape the tone of instruments like guitars in digital or live settings.

The answer "DEAF" is correct because Marlee Matlin is a well-known deaf actress and advocate. She is the only deaf actor to win an Academy Award, making her deafness a defining characteristic often referenced in descriptions about her.

Plasticine is a type of modeling material used for sculpting or crafting, and it is made from malleable material resembling clay. The clue uses "e.g." (for example), suggesting a general category. Clay is the broader material group that Plasticine belongs to, making CLAY the correct answer.

The clue includes Spanish ("tirar más fotos") and references the title of a Bad Bunny album. The album "Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana" features the song "Pero Ya No," where the lyric "Debí tirar más fotos" translates to "I should've taken more photos." Therefore, DEBI ("I should") fits perfectly.

The clue "Where to get fries for tots?" includes wordplay with "tots" meaning both small children and tater tots. The "KIDSMENU" at restaurants typically serves smaller portions, including fries, tailored for children ("tots"), making this the perfect solution. The question mark hints at the playful pun.

FERRERO combines with 42-Down, ROCHER, to form FERRERO ROCHER, the popular hazelnut chocolate candy known for its gold foil wrapper and crunchy shell.

The answer is MAKO because the shark depicted on the Jaws movie poster is a great white shark, but the poster’s design and the shark’s appearance famously resemble a mako shark, known for its sleek body and sharp teeth. MAKO is also a common type of shark, fitting the clue’s description.

The clue "Ransack, as one's own fridge" suggests a playful action—searching thoroughly for something, like food, in a fridge. "Raid" fits perfectly as it means to rummage or invade a space (often hastily), humorously capturing the act of seeking snacks in one's fridge.

The clue "Means of transferring liquid assets?" with a question mark signals wordplay. "Liquid assets" hints at a pun, not just financial assets but physical liquids. A PIPELINE is literally a system used to transfer liquids like water or oil, fitting both the literal and playful interpretation of the clue.

The clue "___ thought about that?" is conversational and mimics a spoken phrase. The blank suggests a word completing a rhetorical or sarcastic question. The answer "EVER" fits perfectly, forming the phrase "Ever thought about that?"—a common expression implying surprise or prompting reflection.

The answer "CARTONS" fits because milk is commonly packaged and sold in cartons. This is a straightforward clue with no wordplay involved, directly referencing the standard type of container used for milk in grocery stores.

The abbreviation "EXT" stands for "extension," which is often listed next to a business phone number to direct calls to a specific person or department. Its placement as "Abbr." in the clue hints that the answer is short for a longer word, confirming EXT as correct.

The answer is ARETHA because the 1986 self-titled album "Aretha" by Aretha Franklin features the hit duet "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" with George Michael. The clue directly references this iconic album from the Queen of Soul's discography.

ROCHER completes 31-Down, FERRERO, creating FERRERO ROCHER, a premium chocolate confection first introduced by the Italian candy company Ferrero in 1982.

The clue "Cliques, maybe" suggests a group with potential similarity to cliques but uses wordplay (not literal). POSSES refers to groups of people with a close bond or shared purpose, much like cliques. The addition of "maybe" acknowledges this conceptual overlap without being identical.

The clue "Like a device that's conserving energy" uses wordplay. A device in "sleep mode" conserves energy, similar to how a person "asleep" conserves energy by resting. The connection between a power-saving device and a resting person makes ASLEEP the apt answer.

The clue "Total phony" refers to someone entirely fake or pretending to be something they're not. "FAKER" fits this definition as it describes a person who deceives others by creating a false impression, making them a "total phony." It’s a straightforward synonym-based solution.

The clue "Collection that might be shuffled through?" uses a wordplay hint with "shuffled," commonly associated with playlists or music collections. SONGS is the correct answer because they can be part of a playlist or album that you shuffle through while listening on a device.

A "bris" is a Jewish religious ceremony of circumcision performed on a male infant. The word "e.g." in the clue indicates an example, and a bris is an example of a ritual or ceremony. "RITE" is a synonym for a ceremonial act or practice, making it the correct answer.

The answer "IQS" refers to Intelligence Quotients, often cited as a measure of intelligence. The clue highlights "performatively smart people," implying those who showcase their intellectual abilities might emphasize their IQ (a "figure"). "For short" indicates the abbreviation "IQS" rather than the full term.

The answer is SON because Xavier (Xav) Trudeau is the son of Justin Trudeau, Canada's Prime Minister. This clue references their familial relationship. Using "Singer Xav" is a play on Xavier's nickname, and the capitalized hint towards a proper name aids the connection to Justin Trudeau.

The clue “Tried, as a dish, say” points to the past tense of experiencing or testing something, such as food. "Had" fits because it can mean "tried" in the context of eating: e.g., "I had sushi last night." It's a concise and accurate match for the clue.