Three that comes before seven? - The Atlantic Crossword Clue

The clue "Introduce yourself, maybe" hints at a common way to start a casual introduction. The answer, SAYHI, captures the simple action of greeting someone informally, which is often how introductions begin. The "maybe" signals possible actions, making "SAY HI" an appropriate solution.

ETA stands for "Estimated Time of Arrival," a crucial piece of information when planning an airport pickup. It tells you when the flight is expected to land, allowing you to time your arrival appropriately. The clue directly relates to the practical need for knowing this timing.

"Ask on one's knees" evokes a pleading action, often associated with desperation or earnestness. To "PLEAD" means to emotionally or urgently ask for something, aligning with the imagery of begging on one's knees.

LARB is a traditional Laotian and Thai dish made from minced meat, herbs, lime juice, and fish sauce, often served with sticky rice. It pairs well with tangy green-papaya salad (som tam), as both are staple dishes in Southeast Asian cuisine, complementing each other in flavor and texture.

ASADO is the Spanish term for a traditional South American barbecue technique, especially popular in Argentina and Uruguay. It involves slow-cooking meat over an open flame or grill. The clue's regional reference ("South American") and the word “technique” point to this culturally significant cooking method.

The clue “Well, now it’s clear” is enclosed in quotes, indicating a spoken phrase. "I SEE" is a natural verbal response someone might say when they have a sudden realization or understanding of something, making it a perfect match for the clue.

The answer is MORENO because Rita Moreno, a legendary EGOT-winning actress, stars in the movie 80 for Brady. Known for iconic roles in films like West Side Story, she is one of the central figures in 80 for Brady, making her last name a fitting solution for this clue.

The clue "It's popular among the it crowd?" is a playful pun. "Tag" refers to a game often played by kids (a crowd) and can also mean tagging someone on social media, which is popular among the "influential" or "IT" social media crowd, merging both interpretations cleverly.

The answer "STU" refers to Stu Pickles, the father of Tommy Pickles, a central character in the animated TV show Rugrats. Stu is known as Tommy's inventive yet somewhat clumsy dad, making this a straightforward clue based on pop culture knowledge.

The clue “Logical beginning?” with the question mark signals wordplay. "Logical" hints at ecology, often shortened to "eco" in terms like eco-friendly. "Beginning" indicates using the prefix "eco-," which relates to the logic of environmental sustainability. Hence, ECO is the correct answer.

The clue "It's usually a bit dramatic?" uses wordplay. In storytelling, an "ARC" refers to a storyline or character development process, which is often dramatic. Additionally, "bit" hints at a small portion of this story structure, making "ARC" a fitting answer.

The clue "Hold tight!" includes a pun or wordplay (indicated by the exclamation mark). "Grab on" figuratively means to hold tightly to something, matching the meaning. It’s a phrase akin to urging someone to latch on or secure a firm grip, fitting the clue perfectly.

The clue "And I mean that sincerely" is written in quotes, hinting at a colloquial or conversational phrase. "No lie" is a common spoken expression meaning "truthfully" or "sincerely," which fits perfectly with the clue's sentiment. Phonetically, "NOLIE" represents this phrase as the crossword's answer.

The clue "Like someone who's barely present?" with a question mark signals a pun or wordplay. "Barely present" plays on the word "bare," hinting at being undressed. Someone "barely" clothed is NUDE, cleverly connecting the double meaning of "barely" to the answer.

The clue "Touch grass, maybe?" implies a figurative or literal action. "Touch grass" is a slang phrase suggesting someone take a break, often from screens or technology, and reconnect with the real world. Literally touching grass involves going outside, making GOOUTSIDE the fitting answer.

The clue "Venues for people who have sold out?" uses a pun. "Sold out" can refer to selling every ticket for an event, which typically happens at large venues like STADIUMS. The hint lies in the playful double meaning of "sold out," which matches the setting of packed stadiums.

The clue "Finger-wag-esque chide" suggests a nonverbal or spoken expression of disapproval. "TSK" mimics the sound made when someone clicks their tongue in disapproval, often accompanied by finger-wagging. The suffix "-esque" reinforces this as a descriptive, fitting "TSK" as the answer.

The clue "Prop for swingers?" is a playful pun. "Swingers" refers to golfers who swing clubs, and a "TEE" is the small prop used to hold a golf ball in place before a swing. The question mark highlights the wordplay, as it’s not literal swingers.