A little bit of everything? - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Manly" directly relates to stereotypical traits associated with masculinity, such as strength or toughness. "MACHO" is often used to describe an overly masculine or tough demeanor, making it a fitting synonym for "Manly" in this context. It's a straightforward match in meaning.

The answer "GALA" fits the clue "Extravagant type of fund-raiser" because a gala is a lavish, formal event often organized to raise funds for a cause. "Extravagant" reflects the grand, celebratory nature of galas, which typically feature elegant settings, performances, and high-profile guests.

The abbreviation "ETC" stands for "et cetera," a Latin phrase meaning "and other things" or "and so on." It directly aligns with the clue "Among other things: Abbr.," as the clue hints at an abbreviated way to represent additional unspecified items in a list.

The answer "UTHER" fits because Uther Pendragon is a legendary figure in Arthurian tales, known as the father of King Arthur. The blank in the clue signals the need for his first name, making "UTHER" the correct and specific solution.

The clue "Awesome!!!" conveys enthusiasm and intensity, often aligning with something grand or extraordinary. "EPIC" is a synonym for something remarkable or awe-inspiring, perfectly matching the tone and meaning of the clue, emphasized by the triple exclamation points for impact.

The answer "KNOB" fits because a knob is a common part of both drawers and doors, functioning as a handle to open or close them. The clue directly refers to a physical component, and "KNOB" is a simple and precise solution to describe this part.

The actual answer, PEACEMARCH, clearly fits the definition of a nonviolent protest. But if you imagine the final H removed, just as the puzzle’s theme suggests, you get PEACE MARC, which reads like a punny farewell to Marc Chagall: “Peace, Marc.” The clue’s crossed-out misdirection invites you to think both literally and wordplayfully, and the double reading lands thanks to that single pivotal letter.

The clue "Theater boxes" uses wordplay. "Boxes" suggest containers, but here it puns on sound equipment in theaters. AMPS, short for amplifiers, are "boxes" that project sound in theaters or live events. This clever misdirection connects the term with its role in sound technology.

The answer "PARKOUR" fits because parkour is a physical discipline where participants traverse urban environments creatively, treating walls, rails, and other urban structures as an obstacle course for running, jumping, and climbing. The clue’s phrasing cleverly describes this activity without directly naming it, fitting a wordplay pattern.

The solution "KEEPIN" fits "Contain" as it conveys the idea of maintaining within bounds or holding something inside. It's a conversational or informal phrasing for "keeping in," matching the casual tone of the clue.

The clue "'Is,' to Livy" signals the answer is in Latin, as Livy was a Roman historian. "Est" is the Latin word for "is," making it the correct answer. This links the English verb "is" to its Latin equivalent, fitting the historical context.

The phrase "Go with one's ___" refers to following one's instinct or intuition. "Gut" is commonly associated with intuition, as in the saying "go with your gut," meaning to rely on one's inner feeling or instinct when making decisions.

The answer "MOTOR" is a synonym for moving or traveling by car. "Motor" references the engine which enables car travel, and the term can also be used as a verb meaning to drive or travel in a car, fitting the clue "Go by car" perfectly.

TESLA is the answer because David Bowie portrayed Nikola Tesla, the famous inventor and scientist, in the 2006 film "The Prestige." Tesla's revolutionary work with electricity and innovation plays a key role in the movie's plot, making him central to the story.

This clue, 'Endure Display some humorous posters? Endure' makes perfect sense when solved as PUTUPWITH, meaning “to tolerate.” But if you remove the H, you get PUT UP WIT, which fits the misdirected version of the clue: “display some humorous posters.” The answer transforms from a phrase about patience to a phrase about clever signage, hinging entirely on whether or not that final H is present.

The clue "GPS datum" refers to information typically provided by a GPS system. ETA, or Estimated Time of Arrival, is a key piece of data that GPS devices calculate to indicate when you’ll reach your destination based on current location and travel conditions.

The Bluetooth logo is based on the bindrune of the initials H and B, representing Harald Bluetooth, a Viking king. Runes are ancient symbols used in Scandinavian writing systems, making "RUNE" the fitting answer for a symbol tied to the Bluetooth logo's origin.

The answer is ECO because many vehicles feature an “ECO mode” setting designed to improve fuel efficiency. This mode adjusts engine performance and other vehicle operations to reduce fuel consumption, aligning with eco-friendly (environmental consciousness) goals. The clue directly points to this common feature in modern cars.

Clued as Notre Dame team Asset in a staring contest? Notre Dame team, the legitimate answer FIGHTINGIRISH refers to the well-known nickname for Notre Dame's athletic teams. Drop the final H, and it morphs into FIGHTING IRIS, a funny reinterpretation as “an asset in a staring contest” — imagining your eye (iris) doing battle. It’s a classic case of the theme at work: legitimate phrase meets absurd reimagining, all via one letter.

The answer "CON" fits the clue "Downside" because "con" can mean a disadvantage, flaw, or negative aspect of something, especially when weighing pros and cons. It directly aligns with the idea of a "downside" in decision-making or evaluations.

The clue "Chops (off)" hints at a verb that means to cut or trim something. "Lops" perfectly fits, as it means to cut off, especially branches or parts of something. The "(off)" reinforces this cutting or trimming action, aligning neatly with the definition of "lops."

The answer is TOR because Tor Books is a well-known science fiction and fantasy publisher. Its logo features a rocky peak, referencing the word "tor," which means a high, rocky hill or peak. This aligns with both the clue's sci-fi context and the visual symbolism of their logo.

In the clue Figure it out "Let's see that dance move where you lie flat by a door!"? Figure it out, the proper answer DOTHEMATH fits the first and final parts: to “figure it out” logically. But in the middle, there’s a bizarre dance move hinted at, and removing the H turns the phrase into DO THE MAT, as in: lie down near a doormat and bust a move. It’s silly, but that’s the point — one letter vanishes, and the phrase flips from analytical to absurd.

The clue "Domain" refers to an area of activity, knowledge, or influence, which aligns with the definition of "REALM." A "realm" also denotes a kingdom or territory, making it synonymous with a "domain" in both a literal and figurative sense.

The word "STRUT" refers to a proud, confident, or arrogant way of walking, often characterized by exaggerated movements meant to show off. The clue "Arrogant walk" directly defines this distinctive gait, making STRUT the perfect match.

The answer "OED" refers to the Oxford English Dictionary, a comprehensive resource for the English language, known for its massive content. Spanning over 21,000 pages, the abbreviation "OED" fits the clue's "in brief" hint, as it simplifies the longer title into its well-known acronym.

In "Calvin and Hobbes," Moe is the school bully who frequently antagonizes Calvin. He's depicted as a physically imposing and mean-spirited character, embodying the classic bully stereotype. The clue’s reference to "antagonist" fits Moe perfectly as Calvin's unkind adversary in the comic strip.

The clue "Go over again" suggests repeating the action of reviewing or reading something once more. The prefix "RE-" implies repetition, and "READ" directly matches the act of going through text. Together, "REREAD" perfectly fits the clue, meaning to read again or review.

The answer is CRAYONS because crayons are common art supplies for kids, often sold in various pack sizes, including small packs of 8 and large packs of 168, which offer a wide range of colors. The clue directly points to these typical packaging options for crayons.

The clue "Shed tears" is a straightforward definition. The past tense "shed" signals that the answer should also be in past tense, making "wept" (the past tense of "weep," which means to shed tears) the perfect fit. Hence, WEPT is the correct solution.

The answer is PITTSBURGH because in 1891, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names standardized city names by dropping unnecessary letters, like the "h" in Pittsburgh. Local protests led to the restoration of the "h" in 1911, making it historically accurate to this clue's description. This clue is also the theme revealer. Four long entries play on this idea: PEACEMARCH / PEACE MARC, PUTUPWITH / PUT UP WIT, FIGHTINGIRISH / FIGHTING IRIS, and DOTHEMATH / DO THE MAT — where dropping the final H yields punny, absurd reinterpretations of otherwise straightforward answers.

The clue refers to a common phrase or disclaimer used when selling secondhand products. "As is" signifies the item is sold in its current condition, with no guarantees or warranties. It informs buyers they assume the risk of any defects. Thus, ASIS fits perfectly as the answer.

The clue "Mexican money" directly refers to the official currency of Mexico, which is the PESO. Its straightforward phrasing indicates that the answer is the name of the currency used in the country, with no wordplay or additional hints needed.

The answer "CRATE" fits "Slatted case" because a crate is a container often made of slatted wood, providing a sturdy, ventilated structure for storage or transportation. The "slatted" description refers to its characteristic design with parallel wooden slats, making "CRATE" a precise match for the clue.

YTD, short for "Year to Date," is commonly used as a column header in financial documents prepared by a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). It summarizes cumulative data (e.g., income, expenses) from the start of the calendar or fiscal year up to the current date, fitting the clue's context.

The clue “High light?” uses a pun. A “star” is a bright object in the sky (a literal high light) and refers metaphorically to someone celebrated or prominent (a figurative highlight). Both meanings make “STAR” a perfect fit for the clue.

The answer "SILOS" fits the clue "Missile chambers" because missile silos are underground structures specifically designed to store and launch missiles. These chambers protect the missiles and allow for quick deployment, making "SILOS" a direct and appropriate match for the clue.