2019 crime thriller involving an expensive opal - The Atlantic Crossword Clue

The phrase "Dangerous place to live" is a play on words. Living on the "EDGE" suggests being on the brink or in a precarious position—physically or metaphorically—making it risky, unstable, and thus dangerous. This clever wordplay ties "EDGE" to the clue.

TAOS is a New Mexico city notorious for the "Taos Hum," a mysterious, persistent low-frequency noise reported by some residents and visitors. The phenomenon has no definitive explanation but links directly to the clue, making TAOS the correct answer.

The phrase "Hot to trot" is a common idiom meaning eager, enthusiastic, or ready to act. In the clue, "Hot to ___ (eager)," the blank is filled with "TROT" to complete the saying and match the definition of eagerness.

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list before the conjunction separating the last two items (e.g., "apples, oranges, and bananas"). The word "AND" often follows the Oxford comma, as it commonly connects the last two items in such lists, making it the fitting answer.

The word "STRATEGIC" fits because it describes situations or games where careful planning and deliberate decision-making directly influence the outcome. In such games, success depends on thoughtful actions and strategy, aligning perfectly with the clue's focus on decision-driven results.

The question mark in the clue indicates wordplay. "Like someone wearing a fur coat?" suggests someone covered in hair, resembling a "fur coat." Thus, the pun leads to the answer "HAIRY," describing someone or something naturally covered in hair, akin to a fur coat.

The clue "Copa Mundial cheers" refers to celebrations or exclamations during the FIFA World Cup, known as "Copa Mundial" in Spanish. "Olés" is a common Spanish cheer, especially at soccer games, expressing excitement or support, making OLES the fitting answer. The Spanish context confirms the language match.

The answer is ELF because this line is a famous quote from the 2003 Christmas movie Elf, starring Will Ferrell. The film centers around Buddy the Elf, whose upbeat personality and love for Christmas include spreading cheer through singing, perfectly tying to the clue's description.

The clue "No need to explain" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a phrase or verbal expression. "I GET IT" is a common way to express understanding, implying there’s no further explanation needed. The casual tone and direct response fit perfectly as the solution.

If something is "IN USE," it is actively being utilized and, therefore, not currently available for others. The "maybe" hints at this situational interpretation.

The clue "One with bright prospects?" includes a pun signaled by the question mark. A "bulb," like a light bulb, literally provides brightness when lit, aligning with "bright prospects." The wordplay cleverly connects the figurative (hope/brightness) and the literal (light source) meanings.

The answer is ENYA because she is a famous Irish singer known for her ethereal music. She reportedly lives a reclusive life in a castle in Ireland with her cats, making her a fitting solution to this clue.

The clue "Big clubs?" uses wordplay with a pun. "Aces" in card games often symbolize high value or "big" importance, and clubs are one of the four card suits. So, the answer "ACES" cleverly refers to powerful (big) cards in the suit of clubs.

The clue "Conclusion of an academic address?" with a question mark implies wordplay. Academic institutions often use ".edu" at the end of their web addresses (URLs). Hence, "EDU" is the "conclusion" or ending of an academic web address, fitting the punning clue perfectly.

The answer is MLB (Major League Baseball) because baseball players aim to "go home" to score runs by reaching home plate. The clue uses a playful pun on "going home," referring both to the players' objective in the game and the concept of returning home.

The answer is SEA because, in Homer’s epic The Odyssey, Odysseus spent 10 years wandering the seas after the Trojan War, facing storms, mystical creatures, and divine obstacles. The clue refers to his prolonged journey on water, making SEA the perfect fit.