Mayo to mayo, say - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "NOPE" refers to the title of the 2022 horror/sci-fi film directed by Jordan Peele. It's a cleverly succinct title capturing the sense of dread and unease common in Peele's work. The title is also an emphatic expression often used when avoiding danger, fitting the film’s theme of facing terror.

The clue refers to San Pablo Bay, an estuary located near San Francisco in Northern California. "San" suggests a Spanish-named location, which is common in the area, and "Pablo" completes the name. San Pablo Bay lies to the north of San Francisco Bay, making PABLO the correct answer.

The answer is ALI because Muhammad Ali, renowned for his eloquence and charisma ("silver-tongued"), was a heavyweight boxing champion who won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. Known for memorable quotes like "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," he exemplified the clue's description.

The answer is TAILS but only AILS appears in the grid; the missing T sits just outside. Together, they form TAILS, a standard coin toss call. The T begins the word “TUSH,” the hidden butt synonym along the left edge.

The clue "Supply" directly defines EQUIP, as both words refer to providing necessary items or resources. To equip means to supply or furnish something essential, such as tools or equipment, aligning perfectly with the meaning of the clue.

Only BRAS fits in the grid, with the final S pushed just outside. Add it back to get BRASS, slang for high-ranking military officers—starting off the hidden vertical word SEAT.

The answer "SLAP" fits the clue "Quickly put (together)" as it suggests an informal, rapid action, like "slapping" something together without much precision or care. This slang usage effectively captures the idea of assembling something hastily.

The clue "Tres + tres + tres" is in Spanish, signaling the answer must be in Spanish. "Tres" means "three" in Spanish, so 3 + 3 + 3 equals 9. The Spanish word for 9 is "NUEVE," making it the correct answer.

The clue "Single ___ (tourney type)" refers to a type of tournament format. The answer "ELIM" is short for "elimination," specifically "single elimination," where a team or player is eliminated after one loss. It fits the context of tourney formats like "single elimination."

The answer "ASIN" comes from the phrase "as in," which is often used to clarify or give an example in speech or writing. For instance, "Clarifying words" could be rephrased as "words like 'as in' to explain further," making "ASIN" the fitting solution.

The clue "Kierkegaard, for one" refers to Søren Kierkegaard, a philosopher from Denmark. The answer, DANE, identifies him as a person of Danish nationality. Since "for one" often signifies an example or category, the solution fits because Kierkegaard is an example of a Dane.

The answer "PRODS" fits because cattle steerers often use tools like cattle prods to direct or move the animals. The word "PRODS" specifically refers to these tools used for steering or guiding, making it a fitting and literal interpretation of the clue.

The answer "NUB" works for "Worn-down part" because "NUB" refers to a small, rounded remnant or core, often left when something is worn down over time, such as the stub of a pencil or a threadbare area. It aligns with the idea of a reduced or eroded part.

The clue "Fail to understand" uses wordplay. The solution, NOTSEE, sounds like "Nazi" when spoken aloud, conveying "not see" (Fail to perceive/understand). This pun or phonetic twist connects to the clue's playful hint, making NOTSEE the fitting answer.

The grid shows NIT, but it’s incomplete without the U that sits outside the top. With U + NIT, we get UNIT, a typical curriculum section. That U is the second letter of TUSH, the hidden butt synonym along the left edge.

The answer is UTA because Uta Hagen (1919–2004) was a renowned Broadway star, celebrated for her performances in plays like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?". She was also a highly respected acting teacher and author, making her a fitting solution to this clue.

The grid shows HALFTON, missing the final E, which sits outside the right edge. Together, they form HALFTONE, a musical interval—contributing the second letter to the hidden word SEAT.

The answer is BAUM because L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, is honored in Oz Park in Chicago. The park is themed around his famous work, with statues of characters like Dorothy and the Tin Man, recognizing his literary contributions.

The answer is TOTORO because “My Neighbor Totoro” is a famous 1988 animated film by Hayao Miyazaki. The blank in the clue is completed by the title character, Totoro, a beloved spirit and central figure in the movie known for its whimsical and magical storytelling.

The clue plays on the crunch time for CPAs (Certified Public Accountants) in April, as it's tax season in the U.S. With the filing deadline on April 15, CPAs often lose sleep meeting deadlines for their clients' taxes. The wordplay links CPAs to April's stress.

The clue “Mind your own business!” hints at a phrase meaning "stay out of it," which is “BUTT OUT.” Additionally, as a hint to the four sides of the puzzle, it cleverly suggests the word "BUTT" is at the edges or "out" of each side, reinforcing the wordplay.

The answer is ODO because "odo-" is a common prefix in the word "odometer," an instrument used to measure distance traveled by a vehicle. The clue asks for a prefix with "meter," and "odo-" fits perfectly as it combines with "meter" in this context.

The phrase "As a ___" is commonly completed as "As a result," which forms a logical and familiar expression. "Result" fits grammatically and contextually to complete the phrase, making it the correct solution to the clue.

The answer is ACRO because "acrophobia" is the fear of heights, and "acro-" is a common prefix relating to heights, extremities, or summits. The clue asks for a prefix that pairs with "phobia," and "acro-" fits as part of this specific term.

The answer "KEN" refers to the 2023 Oscar-nominated song "I'm Just Ken" from the movie Barbie. This song is performed by Ryan Gosling's character, Ken, reflecting his feelings of identity and self-worth in the film. The clue's quotes indicate the song title directly.

Only ENTRIES is in the grid; the S is just outside the right. With S, we get SENTRIES, who literally say 'halt.' The S is part of TUSH, the hidden butt synonym along the left edge.

The answer is CNN because "Inside Politics" is a well-known political news program that airs on CNN, a prominent cable news network. The clue directly refers to the broadcaster of the show, which makes CNN the correct solution.

We see ARE in the grid, but the final A is out of bounds. Add it to form AREA, a common term for a field or region. That A is the third letter in SEAT down the right side.

The clue "Like many flowers and prizes" leads to ANNUAL because many flowers (like marigolds or petunias) bloom annually, completing their lifecycle in one year. Similarly, many prizes—such as awards or competitions—are given on an annual basis, making ANNUAL a fitting descriptor for both.

The phrase "Down in the dumps" is a common idiom meaning feeling unhappy or gloomy. The answer "SAD" directly captures this emotion, aligning with the clue's definition. It’s straightforward, with no wordplay or alternate interpretation involved in this case.

The answer "ICING" fits because it is a sweet, creamy spread often applied to pastries, cakes, or other baked goods for added flavor and decoration. The clue "Tasty pastry spread" directly describes icing's role, making it the logical solution.

Umeshu is a traditional Japanese liqueur made by steeping ume, a type of Japanese plum, in alcohol with sugar. The main ingredient responsible for the liqueur's unique flavor is the plum, making "PLUM" the correct solution to the clue.

The answer "LIDS" works because "hats" can be casually referred to as "lids" in informal slang. It's a playful term often used to describe headwear, much like a lid covers a container. The clue's use of "informally" signals this casual synonym.

The clue "Nice chunk of dough?" uses wordplay with "dough" as slang for money. "Thou" is short for "thousand," a large sum of money—a nice chunk! The pun lies in interpreting "chunk of dough" as a metaphorical expression for cash.

The clue "Garden tool" refers to an implement used for gardening tasks. A SPADE is a common garden tool with a flat blade and handle, used for digging, edging, or moving soil, making it the perfect solution for this straightforward clue.

An OGEE arch features a double-curved shape with concave and convex elements, closely mirroring the silhouette of a Hershey’s Kiss. This decorative design, common in architecture, gives the impression of flowing curves, making it the perfect answer for this clue.

We see EATS in the grid, but the leading H is just off the bottom edge. Add it to get HEATS, which are qualifying races. The H is the last letter of TUSH, the hidden butt synonym along the left edge.

The clue uses a play on words with a question mark, suggesting something unexpected or figurative. "Saucer" hints at the term "flying saucer," commonly associated with UFOs and extraterrestrial life. ALIEN fits as it refers to beings believed to arrive via such saucers.

Only FACE appears in the grid, missing the T at the end. With it, we get FACET, a term for an aspect or side of something. That T completes the vertical word SEAT on the right.

The answer is MIA because the actress Mia Goth starred in the 2022 horror film X. Her first name, Mia, directly matches the solution to the clue, making it a straightforward reference to her as the actress named in the clue.

The answer "TENDS" fits the clue "Supervises" as both refer to overseeing or taking care of something. "TENDS" implies attentiveness and management, much like supervising an action, task, or responsibility. It's a subtle synonym commonly used in this sense.

The answer, TTOP, refers to a "T-top" roof design—a removable panel roof style resembling the shape of a "T." This was a feature on some Ford Mustangs in the past, making it a "Mustang feature, once." It is no longer common in modern cars.