Yesterday’s LA Times Crossword Answers and Hints

The clue "Low-pH stuff" relates to the pH scale, where substances with a pH below 7 are acidic. "Low-pH" directly points to acids, which are known for their low pH levels. Thus, ACID is the correct answer, aligning with the scientific definition.

The clue "The old you?" includes a pun (indicated by the question mark) and refers to an archaic word for "you." In older English, "thou" was commonly used as the singular form of "you," making THOU the correct answer here.

The clue "No fighter" plays on wordplay. James Bond, famously "007," is a secret agent, not a physical combatant or fighter in the traditional sense. The word "No" in the clue may also hint at Bond's association with iconic opponents like Dr. No, tying it cleverly to the solution.

The clue "Suffer" aligns with AIL because "ail" means to experience discomfort, trouble, or distress, which directly relates to suffering. It’s a concise, single-word synonym that fits the straightforward nature of the clue.

The clue "Have a few samples" suggests trying out or testing small portions of something. "TRY THESE" directly fits because it's a phrase inviting someone to sample or taste items. The imperative phrase aligns perfectly with the idea of offering or suggesting multiple things to try.

The clue "Few and far between" directly describes something that occurs infrequently or is scattered. The word SPARSE captures this idea, as it means thinly dispersed or insufficient in number, perfectly aligning with the clue's meaning.

The clue “Le __: French port” indicates a French-language answer, as “Le” signals it. The solution is HAVRE, short for Le Havre, a prominent port city in France. Known for its shipping and maritime significance, Le Havre fits perfectly as the French port referred to in the clue.

The answer "INEAR" refers to a type of headset worn in the ear, as opposed to over-ear or on-ear designs. It describes the style of the headset that fits snugly within the ear canal, commonly seen with modern earbuds or in-ear monitors.

NEO is the solution because it refers to Keanu Reeves' iconic role in The Matrix film series, where he plays Neo, a hacker-turned-savior in a dystopian sci-fi world. The clue directly asks for a "Keanu role," and Neo is one of his most famous characters.

The answer SSN refers to "Social Security Number," a key figure required on the W-2 tax form for reporting income and taxes in the U.S. Employers use it to identify individuals for tax purposes, making it an essential "W-2 fig(ure)."

The clue "Some pediatric patients" refers to individuals treated by pediatricians, who specialize in the care of children. "Some" suggests a subset of these patients, and the answer "BABIES" fits perfectly, as babies are a common and specific group of children seen by pediatricians.

In "The Godfather," Luca Brasi is a key character, a loyal enforcer for the Corleone family. The clue directly refers to his full name, and "Luca" specifically identifies him, making BRASI the correct answer to this straightforward reference.

The clue "NBA div." refers to a division in an NBA game. Here, "div." is wordplay hinting at "division," and in basketball, games are divided into quarters. "QTR" is a common abbreviation for "quarter," making it the correct answer.

HANSOM is the solution because a Hansom cab is a specific type of horse-drawn carriage, designed in the 19th century by Joseph Hansom. It was lightweight, two-wheeled, and commonly used as a taxi, making it a perfect match for the clue "Horse-drawn carriage."

The word "ASTUTE" means having sharp judgment or keen insight, aligning perfectly with the clue "Insightful." It describes someone who is perceptive, clever, or able to understand situations deeply, making it an ideal fit for this straightforward clue.

The clue "Skins' opponents" refers to the common informal way teams are divided during sports or games: "shirts vs. skins." In this setup, one group wears shirts while the other does not ("skins"). Thus, the natural opponents of "skins" are "shirts," making SHIRTS the correct answer.

HALEY is the correct answer because she is the daughter of Claire and Phil Dunphy and the eldest grandchild of Jay Pritchett and DeDe. On "Modern Family," Jay and Gloria Pritchett are her grandparents due to Jay’s previous marriage, making HALEY their oldest grandchild.

The solution "SUSPEND" matches the clue "Leave dangling" because "suspend" means to hang something so that it dangles or is left in mid-air. Figuratively, it can also mean to leave something unresolved or hanging, which aligns with the clue's wording.

The answer "HEEL" works because a stiletto refers to a type of high-heeled shoe. Specifically, stilettos are known for their tall, slender heels, making "HEEL" a fitting solution for the clue. It directly links the feature of the shoe to the term.

The clue specifies "Latin," indicating the answer will be in Latin. "Behold" translates to "ECCE" in Latin, often used for showing or pointing something out, as in the famous phrase "Ecce Homo" ("Behold the man"). Hence, ECCE is the fitting solution.

The clue "Wan" refers to someone or something looking pale, sickly, or lacking color, which matches the meaning of the word "ASHEN." "Ashen" describes a pale or grayish tone, like the color of ashes, often associated with being drained of color or pallor.

The clue "__ no easy way to say this ..." mimics conversational speech. The contraction "there’s" (short for "there is") fits naturally to create the phrase, "There’s no easy way to say this," a common way to introduce difficult news or statements. Thus, the solution is THERES.

The answer "VIDI" comes from the Latin phrase "Veni, Vidi, Vici," attributed to Julius Caesar, meaning "I came, I saw, I conquered." The clue refers to the "center" of this historic boast, which is the middle word, "Vidi."

The clue "Declaration of ability" is asking for a phrase that expresses one's capability to do something. "I CAN" is a straightforward way to declare ability or confidence, aligning perfectly with the clue. It’s a simple, direct statement of being able to accomplish a task.

STEAM is the solution because dim sum is traditionally prepared by steaming, a common cooking technique in Chinese cuisine. The clue's "say" indicates it's an example, not exclusive, of how dim sum is cooked. Steaming preserves texture and flavor, making it ideal for these delicate dishes.

The clue "Subway spread?" involves a pun. "Subway" refers to the sandwich chain, not the transit system. The "spread" hints at a condiment commonly used on sandwiches, like mayonnaise, abbreviated to MAYO. Thus, MAYO is a fitting answer for a spread used at Subway.

The answer "ICON" fits because an icon is a graphical symbol or image on a touchscreen that represents an app, function, or feature. It succinctly matches the clue "Touchscreen image," as icons are the primary interactive elements on digital device screens.

The answer "CHUM" fits because it refers to bait made of fish parts, blood, and other attractants used to lure fish while fishing. The clue's phrasing cleverly plays on the idea of using "fish" (as bait) to catch other fish.

The clue "Chowed down" is a straightforward past-tense phrase meaning "ate." To "chow down" is a casual way of saying to eat heartily. Since "chowed" is past tense, the matching answer is the past tense verb "ATE."

The clue "__ be my pleasure" implies a spoken phrase, as indicated by the quotation marks. The answer "ITD" is a contraction of "It’d," which stands for "It would." This phrase fits conversationally as a polite response, such as "It'd be my pleasure."

The clue "Trap" directly defines SNARE as both words refer to a device or method used to catch or ensnare something, often animals or people metaphorically. SNARE is a synonym for trap, making it the perfect fit for this straightforward clue.

The clue "Soothes" refers to calming, easing, or making someone feel better. "CALMS" directly means to soothe or pacify, aligning perfectly with the clue. It’s a straightforward synonym-based clue where "Soothes" and "CALMS" share similar meanings, making this the accurate solution.

The answer "UGLI" refers to the Ugli fruit, a citrus hybrid that is a real fruit. The wordplay in the clue lies in "unattractive," as "UGLI" sounds like "ugly." The pun combines the fruit's actual name with its sound, connecting to the "unattractive" hint.

The clue "All aboard!" is an exclamation you might hear when instructing people to board a train, bus, or another mode of transportation. The phrase suggests getting onto something, making "GETON" the fitting answer, aligning with the action implied by the clue.

The answer "IDES" refers to the Ides of March (March 15), a significant date in Roman history marked by the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C., a historic coup. The word "Ides" represents a mid-month date in the Roman calendar, often tied to notable events.

The clue “Face late charges, maybe” includes a question mark indicating wordplay. When you don’t pay a bill on time, you typically owe money, potentially including late charges. Here, "face" implies the consequence (owing), and "maybe" acknowledges it as a possibility. Thus, OWE fits perfectly.

The clue "Browser links" refers to the hyperlinks displayed in a web browser. These links are typically identified by their URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), which are the web addresses connecting users to specific web pages. Therefore, "URLS" is the correct answer to this clue.

The phrase "Talk is cheap" is a common idiom meaning it’s easy to say things but harder to follow through with action. The blank "__ is cheap" directly hints at "talk," making it the logical and familiar answer to complete the phrase.

The clue "Tire meas." refers to a measurement related to tires. PSI stands for "pounds per square inch," which is the standard unit used to measure tire pressure. This abbreviation fits the clue perfectly, as it's a concise and accurate way to express tire measurement.

The clue "Junior's junior" uses wordplay. A "Junior" often refers to someone named after their parent, labeled "II." A "Junior's junior" would be the next in line, labeled "III" (the third). Thus, the Roman numeral "III" represents this generational naming.

The clue "Heart parts" refers to components of the heart. The term "atria" (plural of atrium) describes the two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood returning from the body and lungs. It fits both the anatomical definition and the plural form indicated by "parts."

The clue "Winter bug" refers to the flu (short for influenza), which is a common illness that often circulates during the winter months. The term "bug" here playfully refers to an infection or virus, making FLU the accurate and fitting solution.

The word "Drench" directly means to soak or saturate something with liquid. "DOUSE" is a synonym for drench, as it means to pour liquid over something or extinguish it with water, effectively saturating it. This alignment makes "DOUSE" the correct answer.

CUD is the answer because it refers to the partially digested food that grazing animals like cows or sheep chew again after bringing it back up from their stomachs. "Meadow" hints at grazing animals in fields, and "mouthful" suggests the chewing process of cud.

The clue "Yada yada" abbr. refers to the commonly used phrase "yada yada yada," which means "and so on" or "et cetera." The abbreviation for "et cetera" is "ETC," making it the perfect answer. The quotes indicate a spoken or casual tone, aligning with "yada yada."

The clue "Copy cats?" ends with a question mark, indicating wordplay. "Copy cats" humorously refers to the sound cats make—"MEOW"—as if cats "copy" each other by mimicking their characteristic sound. This playful interpretation leads to the answer MEOW.

The clue refers to poet Robert Frost's work "Once by the Pacific." The blank indicates the title's missing word, "Once," which fits here as the exact title of the poem. Frost’s poem reflects on the ocean’s power, and the clue directly alludes to it.

The clue "Awesome" and the answer "GREAT" are synonyms. Both words are commonly used to describe something impressive, excellent, or extraordinary. In crossword puzzles, straightforward synonyms like this are often paired, making "GREAT" a fitting solution for "Awesome."

The clue "Sage, for one" refers to the fact that sage is a type of herb used in cooking and medicine. The phrase "for one" indicates that the answer is a category to which sage belongs, making HERB the correct solution.

The question mark in the clue signals wordplay. "Bees" here refers to crafting gatherings like quilting bees. At these events, YARN is a common raw material used for knitting or crocheting. Hence, "YARN" fits as the answer due to its connection to the crafting context.

The clue "Hard pass" is in quotes, signaling it's a spoken phrase. "NAH" is a casual, dismissive way of saying "no" or rejecting something, which aligns perfectly with the idea of a "hard pass" in conversational language. It's an informal way to politely decline.

The answer "ISTINK" is a self-critical remark because it directly expresses a negative self-assessment or self-deprecating comment. It humorously conveys dissatisfaction with one’s own actions, abilities, or performance, fitting the clue perfectly as a personal critique in casual, spoken language.

The answer "GESTE" refers to an old French word meaning "a heroic or noble deed," often celebrated in medieval literature or epics. The phrase "of yore" in the clue highlights its historical context, aligning with the archaic term "geste" for legendary, chivalrous acts.

The clue uses wordplay with "ready to roll," hinting at something that comes in rolls. SOD, or strips of turf, is often sold pre-rolled for easy transport and installation—making it a "supply" that might literally be rolled out. This explains why SOD fits perfectly!

The phrase "ins and outs" means the details or intricacies of something. The blank in the clue "__ and outs" is completed with "INS" to form this common expression. It refers to understanding the fine points or workings of a situation or system.

The clue "Ilk" refers to a type, category, or sort. "Kind" is synonymous with all these definitions, making it the correct answer. Both words are often used interchangeably to describe the nature or class of something.

The Lenovo YOGA series is named for its flexibility, with laptop screens capable of bending 360 degrees to convert into tablet mode. The reference to "bends over backward" is a play on the idea of flexibility, just like the poses in yoga practice, making YOGA the apt answer.

The answer "ENOS" refers to Mireille Enos, an actress known for her roles in TV series like The Killing and Big Love. The clue directly points to her surname as the solution. No wordplay or additional layers are involved—this is a straightforward trivia-based clue.

The term "Blanket forgiveness" refers to a complete pardon or absolution extended to a group. "AMNESTY" perfectly fits as it represents a governmental act granting forgiveness for offenses, often to a large group, thus "blanketing" all under its forgiveness.

The clue "__ for: attest to" directly aligns with the word "vouch," which means to confirm, verify, or attest to the truth of something. To "vouch for" someone or something is to provide assurance or testimony regarding their credibility or authenticity, matching the definition of "attest to."

The DODO is an extinct bird associated with prehistory, aligning with the "Ice Age" era clue. Though not literally from the Ice Age (it went extinct much later), the term here may play on its historical, prehistoric nature, fitting the wordplay in crossword clues.

The answer "CLAN" fits the clue "Family" because a clan refers to a group of closely related people, often extended family, tied by ancestry or a shared bond. It is synonymous with a family unit, especially in a broader, kinship-based sense.

The clue "Folding" refers to the act of making creases in something, such as paper or fabric. "Creasing" directly describes the process of forming folds or lines, making it the perfect solution to this straightforward, non-punny clue.

The clue "French fashion house" directly points to CHANEL, one of the most iconic French luxury fashion brands. Founded by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in 1910, it is famous for its timeless designs, such as the Chanel No. 5 perfume and the classic tweed suit.

The clue uses wordplay with "long division" and a Biblical reference. In the Bible, Moses parted the Red Sea, creating a literal "division" of the waters to allow the Israelites to escape from Egypt. The pun ties the splitting of the sea to "long division."

The phrase "Get one's bearings" refers to finding direction or positioning oneself, often literally or figuratively. ORIENT means to align or position something properly, often relative to directions or surroundings—it fits the clue perfectly as both share the idea of finding one's way or situating oneself.

The answer "ATTUNE" fits the clue "Unify, in a way" because to attune means to bring into harmony or alignment, whether it’s emotions, ideas, or sounds. This concept aligns metaphorically with unifying, as it involves achieving alignment or harmony among components.

A perjurer is someone who lies under oath, which directly aligns with the definition of a "LIAR." The term "liar" refers to a person who tells lies, making it the concise and accurate solution to the clue.

The clue "That's a shame" in quotes indicates a spoken expression of disappointment. "Aw, rats" is a colloquial phrase expressing dismay or frustration, matching the tone of the clue perfectly. The answer AWRATS combines this spoken phrase into a single entry, fitting the grid format of the puzzle.

The clue "Nerd (out)" uses "nerd" synonymously with "geek," both referring to someone deeply passionate or obsessive about a particular subject. The "(out)" suggests an action, like obsessing or behaving enthusiastically, which aligns with how "geek out" is often used to describe excited enthusiasm. Hence, GEEK fits perfectly.

The clue uses wordplay with "gaits" (ways of moving) and "out of the starting gate" (a racing reference). "TROTS" refers to an unusual or less competitive pace for racehorses starting out, making it an "unlikely" gait for racing.

The answer "PEONY" fits the clue "Garden flower" because peonies are well-known, colorful flowering plants commonly found in gardens. They're admired for their large, lush blooms and are often cultivated for ornamental purposes, making them a direct match for this straightforward clue.

The answer is IMRAN because Imran Khan served as Pakistan's prime minister from 2018 to 2022. He is a former cricket star turned politician and a globally recognized figure. His full name fits the blank, making it the correct solution for the clue.

The answer is SIENA because it is a historic Tuscan city in Italy, famously home to Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Founded in 1472, this bank is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating bank in the world, aligning perfectly with the clue.

The Taj Mahal, located in the city of Agra, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. This clue directly asks for the city where the Taj Mahal is situated, making AGRA the correct answer.

The answer "DUMP" fits because a dump is a common destination where garbage trucks unload collected waste. The clue is straightforward, referring to a physical location (landfill or waste disposal site) where garbage is taken, aligning perfectly with the solution "DUMP."

The answer "APSE" refers to a semicircular or polygonal area in a church, typically at the eastern end, containing the altar—an important part of the sanctuary. The clue directly points to a specific architectural feature often associated with sacred or sanctuary spaces in churches.

The clue "Yang counterpart" refers to the concept of "Yin and Yang," a fundamental principle in Chinese philosophy representing dualities and balance. Yang symbolizes brightness, energy, and masculinity, while Yin represents darkness, passivity, and femininity. Therefore, YIN is the correct counterpart to Yang.

The answer "EMU" fits because the emu is a large, flightless bird native to Australia. It is one of the tallest and heaviest birds in the world, making it a clear match for the clue "Big bird." The clue is straightforward with no additional wordplay.

The answer "BEL" completes the phrase "bel canto," which refers to a style of operatic singing characterized by beautiful tone and technical skill. "Bel" is Italian for "beautiful," aligning with "canto," meaning "singing" in Italian, making "BEL canto" a fitting term.

The clue "Scand. kingdom" refers to a Scandinavian kingdom. "Scand." is an abbreviation, which signals the answer could also be abbreviated. NOR is short for Norway, a well-known kingdom in Scandinavia. The abbreviation in the clue aligns with the abbreviated answer.