It might be a relief when it's broken - The Atlantic Crossword Clue

The clue "Propels" directly relates to the action of moving something forward or driving it onward. "PUSHES" is the answer because it means applying force to move something, which aligns perfectly with the definition of "propels." Both words share the idea of driving or moving something ahead.

The answer is DOHA because it is the capital of Qatar, which hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2022. This was the first time the global tournament was held in the Middle East, making Doha the host city for key matches, including the final.

The answer "ITO" refers to Judge Lance Ito, who presided over the highly publicized 1995 murder trial of O. J. Simpson. This clue directly references his role in the case, making ITO the correct solution. His name is synonymous with the trial in legal and popular culture.

The clue "Words after clinking" refers to the sound of glasses clinking during a celebratory toast. After this sound, people usually say "a toast" or propose one, making ATOAST the fitting answer. It's a common phrase associated with raising glasses in celebration or honor.

The answer "IRAS" refers to Individual Retirement Accounts, which are long-term investment plans designed for retirement savings in the U.S. The clue's "briefly" indicates an abbreviation, while the question mark signals playful wordplay linking "long-term plans" to financial accounts meant for the future.

The clue "Novel" is a wordplay clue. "Novel" can mean a book, but it also means something new, original, or fresh. Here, the answer plays on the second meaning. "New" is synonymous with "novel" in the sense of being innovative or never seen before.

The solution is WORDLADDERS because Lewis Carroll invented "Doublets," a word game where one transforms a word into another by changing one letter at a time, forming a sequence of valid words. This puzzle format is now commonly known as Word Ladders.

The answer "SNL" refers to Saturday Night Live, a famous sketch comedy show that premiered in 1975. By 2026, the show would have aired its milestone 1,000th episode. "Familiarly" hints at its common abbreviation, SNL, rather than the full title.

"National Hug Your Dog Day" is celebrated annually on April 10, and the abbreviation for April is "APR." The clue asks for the month's abbreviated form, making APR the correct solution.

Genoa, a city in the Liguria region of Italy, is widely recognized as the birthplace of pesto. Pesto alla Genovese, the classic basil pesto, is named after the city. The region's traditional ingredients—basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan—originated there, making GENOA the perfect answer.

The clue "Daddy" refers to an informal, endearing term for a father. "Pops" is a common, affectionate nickname for a dad, aligning perfectly with the clue's casual tone. This concise synonym makes POPS the fitting solution.

The clue "Daddy's hermano" includes "hermano," the Spanish word for "brother," signaling the answer is in Spanish. "Daddy's" refers to a familial relationship, so "Daddy's hermano" translates to "Daddy's brother," which is "Tío" in Spanish, meaning "uncle."

The answer "ANAT" is short for "anatomy," a subject studying the structure of living organisms. The term "anatomy" comes from the Greek word "anatome," meaning "cutting up" or "dissection," as anatomy often involves dissecting organisms to study their structure. The abbreviation matches the clue's hint.

The clue uses a pun, signified by the question mark. "RBIMAN" refers to a baseball player who earns "Runs Batted In" (RBI) by hitting balls that allow teammates on base to score and "come home." "Guy who brings his teammates home" cleverly describes this in a playful way.

The clue hints at the phrase "retail therapy," which describes shopping as a way to improve mood, especially for shopaholics who find joy in buying items. The pun ("mood booster") aligns with this well-known expression, making RETAIL the perfect fit.

The clue "Shots" refers to attempts or efforts, as in "taking shots" at achieving something. "Tries" fits perfectly as it also means attempts. This connection is a non-literal interpretation, common in crossword wordplay. It avoids any direct reference to photography or drinks, keeping it general.

The answer "MIDI" refers to a dress length that falls mid-calf, a versatile length suitable for various occasions. It is neither too short (mini) nor too long (maxi), making it a practical and stylish option—the perfect fit for this clue about a "versatile" dress length.

The answer "EBSEN" refers to Buddy Ebsen, the actor who played Jed Clampett, the patriarch of the Clampett family, on the classic television show The Beverly Hillbillies. "Buddy" in the clue directly points to his first name, making EBSEN the correct solution.

An "OAST" is a type of kiln specifically used for drying hops, which are an essential ingredient in brewing beer. The term directly connects to the clue "Brewery kiln," identifying its purpose within the beer-making process. This historical term is commonly seen in crossword puzzles.

The clue “There’s no other option” suggests a strong sense of necessity or inevitability. “I MUST” expresses this exact sentiment, as it conveys a personal obligation or lack of alternative. The phrasing in quotes also indicates this is a spoken expression, matching the answer perfectly.

The clue "No-goodnik" uses informal terminology for a misbehaving or bad person. The answer, BADEGG, is a slang term for someone who is dishonest or troublesome, aligning directly with the clue.

The clue references an AI DJ named "X," a recent feature of Spotify. "Spotify Premium" is their subscription service, which includes exclusive features like the AI DJ. Therefore, SPOTIFYPREMIUM fits as the subscription offering this feature.

The answer is SELENE because, in Greek mythology, Selene is the goddess of the moon and the sister of Helios, the god of the sun. The clue refers to their familial connection as siblings in mythology, making SELENE correct.

The clue "Some bathroom giveaways" hints at free items commonly found in public or shared bathrooms. "PADS" refers to sanitary pads, which are often provided in bathrooms for free, particularly in women's restrooms or facilities aiming to ensure menstrual hygiene. The plural matches "some" in the clue.

The answer is NED because Arya Stark's father in the TV series Game of Thrones is Eddard Stark, commonly known as NED. This is a straightforward clue referencing a popular character from the show.

The clue "Galway Girl" setting refers to the song by Ed Sheeran, which is set in Ireland. ERIN is a poetic name for Ireland, often used in literature and songs. Galway is a city in Ireland, making ERIN the fitting answer for this clue.

The clue "Sponge" refers to someone who sponges off others or relies on them excessively, often for money or resources, without giving back. The slang term "MOOCH" perfectly fits this description, as it means to take advantage of others' generosity or to freeload.

The answer "CSI" refers to "Crime Scene Investigator," who often collects DNA evidence at crime scenes as part of their work. This fits the clue, as CSIs are responsible for gathering and analyzing forensic evidence, including DNA, during investigations. The clue uses abbreviation-friendly brevity.

The clue "Racket" refers to a loud, unpleasant noise or commotion, which matches the definition of "DIN." While "racket" can also mean a fraudulent scheme, this clue uses its other meaning, emphasizing a cacophony of sounds. Thus, DIN fits perfectly as the answer.

The song "La Vie en Rose", famously performed by Edith Piaf, plays during a romantic moment in WALL-E when the titular robot and EVE first connect. Its dreamy tone and iconic lyrics about seeing life "through rose-colored glasses" capture the whimsical and tender spirit of their interaction.

The clue "Ich ___ dich" is in German, so the answer will also be in German. The phrase translates to "I ___ you," a common line for expressing affection. "Mag" means "like" in German, completing the phrase as "Ich mag dich," or "I like you," fitting a flirty context.

The word "Pep" refers to energy, enthusiasm, or zeal. "ELAN" is a French-derived term that means spirited confidence, style, or liveliness, which aligns well with "Pep" in terms of vibrancy and enthusiasm. This synonym makes it the perfect fit for the clue.

In a yearbook, "layout" refers to the arrangement of text, photos, and design elements on a page. A yearbook staffer is tasked with creating and organizing these layouts to ensure the yearbook is visually appealing and cohesive, making "LAYOUT" the fitting answer to the clue.

ELO is the correct answer because Arpad Elo was a Hungarian-American physics professor and chess master who developed the Elo rating system, used to calculate the relative skill levels of players in chess and other games. His name directly lends itself to this widely recognized ranking method.

In the Dreidel game, traditionally played during Hanukkah, participants use "gelt," a term for money or coins, often represented by chocolate coins wrapped in foil. "Gelt" directly translates to "money" in Yiddish, making it the fitting answer for "Dreidel game currency."

The answer is PHELPS because Michael Phelps is a legendary swimmer who has won 28 Olympic medals (23 gold), the most by any athlete in Olympic history. His incredible achievements in swimming make him the undisputed record-holder referred to in the clue.