LA Times Crossword Answers & Hints – Solve Today’s Puzzle

The clue "One who may be loched in?" uses wordplay. The term "loched" references lochs, the Scottish word for lakes. A person associated with lochs, like those in Scotland (e.g., Loch Ness), is a SCOT, short for a Scottish person. The pun ties "loched" to Scotland.

The phrase "Not for all the tea in China" signals emphatic refusal, often spoken informally in response to an offer or suggestion. "UHNO" mimics this spoken sentiment, phonetically representing "uh, no," a casual, resolute rejection, making it the perfect conversational match for the clue.

The clue "Elephant __" leads to SEAL because it refers to the elephant seal, a large marine mammal named for its size and trunk-like nose in males. It’s a direct word association with "elephant" and SEAL, forming the name of the animal.

The clue "Crafted with care" directly hints at something created meticulously or skillfully by hand. "Handmade" literally means made by hand, often implying personal attention to detail and care in its creation, perfectly matching the meaning of the clue.

The clue "NYSE debut" refers to the first time a company's stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. This debut occurs during an IPO, or Initial Public Offering, where a private company offers shares to the public for the first time.

The clue uses humor and exaggeration typical of "some grandparents" reminiscing about hardships. "Uphill" refers to the classic joke that their school walks were always challenging—unrealistically uphill both ways—amplifying their struggles in a playful, figurative way. Thus, "UPHILL" fits the humorous tone and context.

The answer "SEEP" fits the clue "Flow slowly" because "seep" describes the action of a liquid gradually passing through small openings or oozing out slowly, perfectly matching the description of a slow flow. This straightforward definition aligns directly with the clue.

The clue "Fumble" directly associates with making a mistake or an error, often in judgment or action. The word "ERR" means to make a mistake, fitting the definition perfectly as a concise synonym for "Fumble."

The clue "Yo, bro!" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a casual and spoken phrase. "Yo, bro!" is an informal greeting often used between friends or siblings. The solution, SUPDUDE, translates this sentiment into slang—"Sup" short for "What's up" and "dude" fitting "bro" as an informal term of address.

The answer "ACADIA" refers to Acadia National Park, a major tourist attraction in Maine known for its stunning natural beauty, including mountains, forests, and coastal scenery. It’s a famous destination within the state, making it a fitting solution for the clue "Maine attraction."

The clue "Posting with a hazard symbol, e.g." describes something typically used to warn people of danger. A "DANGER SIGN" often includes a hazard symbol, making it both a "posting" (like a sign) and related to warnings. The wording matches perfectly with the definition.

The answer "EPEE" works because it's a sword used in fencing, a dueling sport. The pun comes from "Duel-purpose" — the epee serves as both a weapon for dueling and a sports tool. The question mark signals playful wordplay in the clue.

The answer "NETS" works because "nets" can mean to catch something, as in how a net is used to trap or capture objects like fish. The clue uses "Catches" in a general sense, aligning with the functional purpose of a net.

A "triad" is a simple chord in music consisting of three notes: the root, third, and fifth of a scale. Since "simple chord" hints at the fundamental structure of musical harmony, TRIAD is the correct answer.

The clue "__ Angeles" points to a city name, and the correct answer is "LOS" because the full city name is Los Angeles, a major city in California. "Los" is part of the Spanish article "Los Angeles," meaning "The Angels" in English. Hence, "LOS" completes the name.

The clue "Speaker of the house?" with a question mark indicates a playful or pun-based answer. ALEXA refers to Amazon's smart speaker, a device commonly found in homes that "speaks" to perform digital assistant tasks. It's a literal and witty take on "speaker" and "house."

The clue "Formfitting" refers to something that fits tightly or closely to the body or object. The word "SNUG" perfectly captures this meaning, as it describes something that is tight or close-fitting without being uncomfortable, aligning directly with the definition of "formfitting."

The clue "Puerto Rico, por ejemplo" includes "por ejemplo," a Spanish phrase for "for example," signaling the answer is in Spanish. Puerto Rico is an island, and the Spanish word for island is "isla." Thus, ISLA is the correct answer.

The clue "Comes close" is looking for a verb that means to approach or get near to something. "NEARS" perfectly matches this definition, as it describes moving closer to a point or proximity to something, aligning seamlessly with the clue's phrasing.

The clue "I bet I know what you're going to say" is conversational, signaled by the quotes, indicating a spoken phrase. "LET ME GUESS" matches perfectly as it reflects someone predicting another's statement, fitting the casual, guessing tone implied by the clue.

The clue "Modify to fit" directly defines the word ADAPT, which means to adjust, alter, or modify something to suit a new purpose, situation, or condition. Both the clue and the answer share the concept of making adjustments for compatibility or proper fit.

The answer, COLIC, refers to a common ailment in infants characterized by prolonged periods of excessive crying, often due to abdominal discomfort or gas. The clue directly points to an ailment specific to infants, and COLIC is a well-known condition fitting that description.

The answer "SCOLD" fits the clue "Reprimand" because to scold someone means to criticize or rebuke them, which aligns directly with the meaning of reprimand. Both involve expressing disapproval, typically in a verbal manner. This is a straightforward synonym-based clue.

The clue "This tastes terrible" is in quotes, signaling a spoken reaction. "BLEH" is a common exclamation expressing disgust or dissatisfaction, particularly with taste. It mimics what someone might say after trying something awful, perfectly aligning with the clue.

The answer TAUT fits because it describes something pulled tight with no slack, exactly like a bedsheet with no creases. A taut bedsheet is stretched smoothly across a surface, leaving no wrinkles or folds, matching the clue's description perfectly.

The clue "Purrr-fect roommate" ends in a playful question mark, indicating a pun. A "purr-fect" companion refers to an animal that purrs, like a cat. A "housecat" fits this description as it's a domesticated feline commonly kept as a cozy, indoor roommate.

The answer "SONATAS" is correct because Johann Sebastian Bach, a renowned Baroque composer, wrote numerous sonatas for various instruments, such as violin, harpsichord, and flute. The clue "Some Bach works" directly refers to these compositions. "Some" suggests specific musical forms like sonatas among his vast works.

BOISE is the solution because it is the capital city of Idaho, a state famous for its potato production. The New Year's Eve "Potato Drop" is a unique event held in Boise, where a giant potato is lowered to celebrate the occasion, much like the ball drop in New York City.

The clue "Sophisticated" directly aligns with the adjective "CLASSY," as both describe elegance, refinement, or high social standards. In crossword context, this is a straightforward synonym clue, where "CLASSY" perfectly matches the tone and meaning of "Sophisticated."

The clue “Spot for a hot pot” uses wordplay. A trivet is a small, often decorative stand used to hold a hot pot and protect surfaces from heat damage. The “spot” refers to the trivet’s placement on a table or counter, perfectly matching the description.

The clue "Place to stay" refers to a location where one can temporarily reside, often while traveling. An "INN" is a small hotel or establishment providing accommodations, making it a perfect fit for this straightforward clue. It’s a commonly used term for lodging.

The clue "Not engaged" refers to being inactive or not involved in any activity. The word "IDLE" perfectly fits this definition, as it describes a state of inactivity, rest, or not being occupied with work or tasks, making it the correct solution.

The clue uses a pun: "Kid" refers not only to a child but also to a young goat. At a petting zoo, a goat (especially a young one, or "kid") is a common animal visitors can interact with, making "GOAT" the correct answer.

A marathon is 26.2 miles long, so 13.1 miles represents half of the total distance. The clue specifies "e.g.," indicating an example, and "half" is the accurate descriptor for this portion of a marathon.

The solution "ALTO" refers to a vocal range in music. It is a midrange voice, sitting between soprano (higher) and tenor (lower). Typically, altos are lower-voiced women or higher-voiced men, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Midrange voice."

The clue "Total" can mean complete destruction or devastation, which aligns with the word RUIN. RUIN refers to something being completely destroyed or brought to an irreversible state of damage, fitting the meaning of "Total" in this context.

The answer "NENE" refers to the Hawaiian goose, which is designated as Hawaii's official state bird. Native to Hawaii, the Nene is known for its distinct features and limited habitat, mainly on the islands. This makes it the accurate and fitting solution to the clue.

HBO is the answer because it is the network that airs the TV series The White Lotus. The term "airer" in the clue directly points to the broadcaster or platform responsible for showing the series, which is HBO.

The answer "ASS" refers to a donkey, which is commonly used as a pack animal to carry loads due to its strength and endurance. This straightforward clue points to an animal historically known for this role. It is not wordplay but a literal interpretation.