Literary bird with a one-word vocabulary, apparently - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "You're doing it all wrong!" is spoken or nonverbal, as indicated by the quotation marks. The phrase "STOP" is a direct command someone might exclaim when noticing something being done incorrectly, aligning perfectly with the given clue.

The Uffizi Gallery is a famous art museum in Florence, Italy, located next to the River Arno. The Arno is the main river flowing through Florence, making ARNO the correct answer for this geographically specific clue.

The clue "Put (down)" refers to placing something or someone in a lower position or setting something down—this aligns with the past tense "LAID." For example, you might say "I laid the book on the table," matching the definition of "put (down)."

The answer "EGO" fits because an excessive sense of self-importance or pride can hinder teamwork and compromise. Collaboration requires humility and mutual respect, but an inflated ego often causes conflict, poor communication, or an unwillingness to listen to others, making it a clear impediment to effective collaboration.

The clue "Barely enough" suggests something that is just sufficient or the smallest possible amount to meet a need. MINIMAL perfectly fits this definition, as it refers to the least or smallest extent, making it the correct solution for this clue.

The clue, "No need to respond right now," suggests a delay in decision-making or response. The answer THINK IT OVER aligns perfectly, as it conveys taking time to reflect or consider something before deciding, matching the idea of not needing an immediate reply.

The clue "Natural incubators" refers to animals that naturally incubate (warm and protect) their eggs until hatching. Hens, which are female chickens, are well-known for sitting on their eggs to provide warmth and aid in hatching, making "HENS" a fitting answer.

The answer "ERG" fits because an erg is a small unit of energy in physics. The clue cleverly hints at this with "Bit of energy." Additionally, "ERG" is literally a "bit" (or part) of the word "energy." This use of both meanings ties the clue together perfectly.

The phrase "Makes a snack of" suggests the act of eating lightly or snacking. "Noshes" is a term for eating or snacking, and adding "on" implies what is being snacked on. Therefore, "NOSHESON" fits perfectly as the solution, conveying the act of snacking on something.

The clue "Sci-fi remakes?" with the question mark signals wordplay or a pun. In science fiction, "clones" are exact copies or "remakes" of living beings. The playful use of "remakes" ties to the replication concept, making "CLONES" the fitting and clever answer.

The clue "It may have pluses and minuses" uses wordplay. A report card is a school document that can have "+" (pluses) or "−" (minuses) as part of grades, indicating performance levels. The phrasing hints at the literal symbols often seen on grading scales, making REPORTCARD the apt solution.

AVERY is the correct answer because Lincoln Center's former concert hall was named Avery Fisher Hall, honoring philanthropist Avery Fisher. In 2015, the hall was renamed David Geffen Hall following a significant donation. The clue references the original name, making AVERY the solution.

The answer "BINS" fits because at airport security checkpoints, travelers place items like shoes, electronics, and bags into plastic containers called bins for screening. These are literal "containers" used to organize and transport belongings through the X-ray scanners.

CROON is the answer as Perry Como and Mel Tormé were known for their smooth, melodic singing style often described as "crooning." Crooning involves soft, intimate singing, typically used in jazz and traditional pop genres, which both artists famously embodied.

The answer is OLIN because Lena Olin is a renowned Swedish actress known for her work in films like The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Chocolat. The clue directly refers to her as a notable figure, and "Swedish actress" points specifically to her nationality and career.

The clue "Crushed, as a test" uses wordplay. "Crushed" signifies excelling or doing extremely well, and "as a test" narrows it to academic or performance contexts. ACED is a slang term for performing perfectly on a test, making it a fitting answer.

The clue uses wordplay and a pun on "Concrete example." A cement mixer is a machine that rotates (demonstrating rotational forces) to mix cement, water, and aggregate, creating concrete—a clear nod to both the literal and punny interpretation of fluid dynamics and concrete. Perfect fit!

The clue "One of two for one" plays on the idea of dividing one into two equal parts. A "half" is precisely one of the two equal parts that make up a whole, aligning perfectly with the clue. It's a straightforward yet clever wordplay!

OREO is the solution because the brand released an "Uh-Oh!" variety in the early 2000s. This version swapped the iconic chocolate cookies for golden ones while keeping the regular cream filling, prompting the playful name "Uh-Oh!" to highlight the unexpected twist.

The phrase "WIN BY A NOSE" refers to narrowly winning, like in horse racing where the winner is decided by just a nose length. Here, "Best someone, but just barely" aligns perfectly with the idea of a slim, marginal victory, making it the fitting solution.

The answer "RIVET" works for "Transfix" because both share the meaning of capturing and holding attention completely. Additionally, a rivet is a fastener used to hold things in place, metaphorically tying into the idea of being transfixed or firmly fixed.

The clue "A walk in the park?" has a question mark, signaling wordplay. It hints at a type of walk specifically done for enjoyment or exercise in nature. A "hike" fits perfectly as it is a type of walk often in parks or trails, tying to the pun.

The phrase "Here's looking at you, kid" is a famous line from the classic film Casablanca. Rick Blaine says this to Ilsa Lund, the female lead played by Ingrid Bergman. "Kid" in the quote refers affectionately to Ilsa, making ILSA the correct answer.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to address disparities in pay between genders and other groups. "Concerns" refer to these inequities, specifically wage gaps—the difference in earnings between individuals performing similar work, often affected by systemic biases. Hence, WAGEGAPS fits perfectly as the answer.

In mahjong, "bams," "cracks," and "dots" refer to the three suits of tiles in the game: bamboo, characters, and circles. Just like suits in a card deck, these categories group tiles. Hence, "SUIT" is the correct answer to the clue.

The answer "RUIN" fits because many UNESCO World Heritage sites are ancient historical remnants, such as ruins of cities, temples, or monuments. These sites are preserved for their cultural, historical, or architectural significance, making "RUIN" a fitting description for numerous UNESCO locations.

The clue "Subsides" corresponds to the answer LESSENS because "subsides" means to diminish, decrease in intensity, or lessen. Both words share the definition of a reduction or decline in degree, making LESSENS a perfect synonym and fitting solution for this straightforward clue.

The Ozarks is a highland region that spans northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. Known for its hills, forests, and plateaus, it covers much of northern Arkansas geographically, making "OZARKS" the fitting answer to the clue.

HIPPO is the correct answer because hippos and whales share a common ancestor, making them close relatives evolutionarily. Despite their different habitats, their genetic lineage links back to a semi-aquatic ancestor, grouping them together within the taxonomic order Cetartiodactyla. This makes the Hippopotamus a land animal closely related to whales.

The term "legal tender" refers to money that is officially recognized by a government as valid for settling debts or payments. The blank ("___ tender") in the clue is completed by "legal" to form this commonly used phrase.

A shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish consisting of spiced meat, commonly served in a flatbread wrap. PITA refers to pita bread, a type of flatbread traditionally used to wrap shawarma, making it the perfect solution for "Shawarma wrap." This straightforward clue connects the dish to its iconic bread.

The solution is SEGA because Super Monkey Ball is a video game series originally developed and published by SEGA. This company is well-known for producing iconic games and consoles, making it the brand behind this popular series.

The clue "Buckets" is a playful reference to scoring in basketball, where "buckets" is slang for points or shots made. "A ton" sounds like "ATON," which metaphorically means scoring many points—hence, it cleverly fits the clue.

The phrase "Didn't give way" implies resistance or firmness. The word "HELD" fits because it means to maintain position or not yield. For example, if someone held their ground, they didn't give way or back down. It's a precise match for the clue's meaning.

The "Ides" refers to a specific day in the middle of each month in the Roman calendar, typically the 15th for March, May, July, and October, and the 13th for other months. Thus, every month has an "Ides," making it the fitting answer.

The clue refers to a basic and foundational command taught to dogs in obedience training. The word "Early" suggests it’s one of the first instructions taught. "Sit" is a common and simple command used to train dogs, making it the perfect fit for this clue.

In the musical "Evita," Mandy Patinkin played the role of Che, a narrator/commentator. While not directly the historical Che Guevara, the character embodies a revolutionary figure providing insight and critique throughout the story. Thus, "CHE" is the correct answer to this clue.