Tall, chic woman - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "ASTO" is a formal phrase meaning "with respect to" or "regarding." It’s often used in legal or written contexts, aligning perfectly with the clue "Regarding," which refers to something concerning or in reference to a particular topic.

The answer "ATRIA" works because atria are large, open spaces often found in the central areas of hotels. They commonly serve as check-in areas due to their spaciousness and visual appeal, aligning with the clue’s reference to "some hotel check-in areas."

The answer is CELIA because Celia Cruz was a legendary Cuban singer widely known as the "Queen of Salsa." Her powerful voice and vibrant presence made her an icon in Latin music. This clue refers to her immense fame and definitive title within the genre.

The clue "Jibe" suggests harmony or agreement, as “jibe” means to be in accordance or match. MESH aligns as the answer because it signifies things fitting together well or working in sync, which parallels the idea of jibe meaning to agree or fit.

The answer "BORK" works for "Break, slangily" because "bork" is a slang term meaning to break, damage, or ruin something, often through mishandling or misuse. In slangy contexts, it conveys the idea of a serious malfunction or disruption, aligning with "break" in the clue.

The answer is FRENCHOPENS because Rafael Nadal holds the record for winning the French Open tennis tournament 14 times. The French Open, held on clay courts in Paris, is one of tennis’ Grand Slam events, where Nadal's dominance on clay has made him nearly unbeatable.

The clue "Boxer's diet, maybe" includes 'maybe,' indicating wordplay. Here, "Boxer" refers to the dog breed, not a fighter. ALPO is a well-known brand of dog food, making it a possible diet for a Boxer dog. The pun lies in the dual meaning of "Boxer."

The clue uses a language comparison format. "Mmes." is short for "Mesdames" in French, referring to women formally. In Spain, the equivalent formal term for women is "Señoras," abbreviated as "Sras." Hence, Mmes. (France) corresponds to Sras. (Spain).

"Fix it in post" is a common phrase in filmmaking, referring to resolving issues during post-production rather than during filming. The clue's wordplay ("deal with a problem later") aligns with this, as filmmakers often delay corrections to the editing phase, making FIXITINPOST the fitting answer.

The clue "Belle boy?" plays on wordplay and puns. "Belle" suggests "a beautiful woman" and "boy" hints at her male counterpart. "Beau" is a term for a boyfriend or admirer, especially associated with romance, making it the perfect fit for "Belle's boy."

The answer is OBI because an obi is a sash tied tightly around the waist of a traditional Japanese kimono. The phrase "It's a cinch!" is a pun, as "cinch" refers to both something easy and the act of securing or fastening, like what an obi does.

The quote often attributed to Oscar Wilde suggests, "Everything in the world is about sex except sex, which is about power." The answer "SEX" completes the phrase fittingly, as it’s central to the famous, clever commentary on human motivations and dynamics.

The answer "TINGS" refers to the sound of glasses being gently tapped, often with utensils, to signal attention during wedding toasts. This sound is a common nonverbal cue at such events, indicating it's time for speeches or celebratory cheers.

The clue "Howe'er" is a poetic contraction meaning "however." The answer "THO" is also a poetic or informal contraction, short for "though," which carries a similar meaning. Both "Howe'er" and "THO" reflect concise, antiquated or informal language often used in poetry or casual speech.

The answer "CCS" relates to adding recipients to an email under the "CC" (Carbon Copy) field. "Adds to an email" implies including other people in the correspondence without being the main recipient, which is exactly what CC does. Plural "CCS" reflects multiple additions.

The clue "Some narrative homages, informally" refers to fanfiction (abbreviated as FANFIC). Fanfiction consists of stories written by fans as a homage to existing characters, plots, or worlds from books, shows, or movies. The term "informally" points to the casual nickname "FANFIC" rather than the full term.

The answer "OER" is a contraction found in the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Specifically, it comes from the line “O’er the ramparts we watched,” where "o’er" is a poetic contraction of "over," commonly used in older or formal texts like national anthems.

MILTIE is the nickname of Milton Berle, a legendary American comedian and television personality. Known affectionately as "Uncle Miltie," he was one of the first major TV stars, earning this playful moniker during his groundbreaking television career. The clue refers to this iconic nickname.

The phrase "Point in the direction of" aligns with "STEER TO" as it means to guide or direct something (like steering a vehicle toward a target or direction). "Steer" implies guidance, and "to" specifies the direction, making it a literal fit for the clue.

The answer is ANSEL because the Yosemite-based gallery is named after Ansel Adams, a renowned photographer known for his iconic black-and-white images of Yosemite National Park. His work captured the park's natural beauty, and the gallery honors his legacy and connection to Yosemite.

SALERNO is a port city in southern Italy, known as a key gateway to the Amalfi Coast, a famous stretch of stunning coastal towns. Visitors often arrive in Salerno to access nearby Amalfi Coast destinations like Positano and Ravello, making it a fitting answer to this clue.

Clued with just a dash, “TEEL” alone has no meaning. It completes the Down entry “ABS OF STEEL,” with the magnetic square linking “STEEL” to the animal EEL at the magnet’s end.

Clued with just a dash, this entry contains “RATS,” the reverse of “STAR”'s ending “TAR.” It links to the animal RAT at the magnetic pole and completes the Down answer through clever wordplay and theme integration.

This across entry, clued with just a dash, contains ANT (from GANT), completing the Down entry (CONGREGANT) and representing an animal in the theme, another creature attracted by the puzzle’s “magnetism.”

Though meaningless on its own, “DOGF” supports the Down entry by contributing “GOD” in reverse. “DOG” is also the magnet-attracted animal here, cleverly hiding in reverse of HOUSEOFGOD, as part of the theme’s wordplay.

The solution "ORTEGA" refers to a popular brand known for its Mexican food products, including taco shells, seasonings, and sauces. These items are commonly used to prepare tacos, making ORTEGA a fitting answer for the clue "Brand used for Taco Tuesday."

The clue "Share cleanup duty, in a way" involves wordplay. "Cleanup duty" can metaphorically refer to editing written work, as editing refines and polishes text. To "share" this task would mean to "co-edit" with someone else. Hence, the answer is COEDIT.

The answer is GRINER because Brittney Griner is a famous professional basketball player in the W.N.B.A. She is known for her exceptional performance, currently playing for the Phoenix Mercury, and is regarded as one of the league's most prominent figures.

The clue "Hardy mountain plants" leads to ALPINES because alpine plants are resilient species that thrive in the harsh, high-altitude conditions of mountainous regions. "Hardy" emphasizes their ability to survive tough environments, directly pointing to the adaptability of ALPINES.

APOGEE refers to the highest or farthest point of an orbit, particularly of the moon or a satellite relative to Earth. Figuratively, it represents the peak or culmination of something, aligning with the clue "Highest point."

The answer "RAW" is fitting because it describes weather that is harsh, unpleasant, and unrefined—often characterized by cold and damp conditions. "RAW" effectively conveys a sense of discomfort and chill, matching the clue's description for cold and wet weather.

The clue "Last-one-standing fights" refers to contests where multiple participants compete until only one remains victorious. "Battle Royales" perfectly fits as it describes such free-for-all fights, often chaotic, where the goal is to be the last remaining competitor. The plural form matches the clue's phrasing.

The clue "!!!" suggests a strong reaction or exclamation. Since the answer is in quotes, it signals a spoken or nonverbal response. "OMG" (short for "Oh My God") is a common expression of surprise, shock, or excitement, perfectly matching the emphasis conveyed by "!!!".

The clue "Seventh of 24" refers to the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet. The seventh letter in the sequence is "ETA." This is a straightforward alphabetical reference, relying on your knowledge of the Greek alphabet system.

The clue "Ain't ___ Sweet" refers to the title of the classic song "Ain't She Sweet." The missing word is "SHE," completing the well-known phrase. Quotation marks in the clue indicate it's referencing a specific phrase or title. Thus, "SHE" fits perfectly.

The "Hundred Acre Wood" references the setting of Winnie-the-Pooh. "Hopper" suggests an animal that jumps. In the stories, Roo is a young kangaroo, a known hopper. Thus, ROO is the correct answer, fitting both the setting and the hopping clue.

The phrase "Hightail it" means to run away or flee quickly. "LAM" is a slang term that also means to flee or escape, particularly in a hurried manner, as if avoiding capture. Thus, "LAM" perfectly matches the clue's meaning.

The answer "BEG" fits the clue "Plead" because both words mean to earnestly request or implore someone for something. "Beg" is a direct synonym of "plead," capturing the sense of urgent or heartfelt asking without additional wordplay or alternate interpretations.

The clue "A, in German class" signals a translation. In German, "A" corresponds to "ein," which is the indefinite article meaning "a" or "one." The "in German class" part indicates the answer should be in German, making EIN the correct solution.

The answer "AHAS" represents the verbal reaction people often have during "forehead-slapping moments" of sudden realization or clarity. Such moments typically prompt an "aha!" as they recognize something obvious they initially missed. This matches the clue's context as an exclamation of insight or discovery.

The clue "Mich. neighbor" asks for a state bordering Michigan. Abbreviated clues often require an abbreviation as the answer. Michigan (Mich.) neighbors Indiana, which is commonly abbreviated to IND. Therefore, the solution "IND" refers to the state of Indiana.

The answer is TROI because Counselor Deanna Troi is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation (T.N.G.). She is an empath, using her ability to sense emotions to help guide the crew of the USS Enterprise. This directly ties to the clue’s reference.

The clue "Greeting from a man's best friend" includes wordplay and references the common phrase for dogs as "man's best friend." The answer, ARF, represents the barking sound a dog might make, which can be interpreted as its way of "greeting." The quotation marks hint at a nonverbal response.

The clue "Abstainer" refers to someone who refrains from using or consuming something, particularly substances like alcohol or drugs. The answer, NONUSER, directly describes a person who does not use or partake, aligning perfectly with the definition of an abstainer.

The answer "SWOLE" is gym slang for someone who is impressively muscular or "beefy," often used in casual or bro-like gym culture. The clue uses "as gym bros" to indicate this informal, fitness-related term, perfectly matching the descriptive tone of "beefy."

The answer is ANTONIO because the clue refers to Antonio Vivaldi, a famous Baroque composer from Italy. Known for works like The Four Seasons, his full name is Antonio Lucio Vivaldi. Since "Composer Vivaldi" points to his first name, ANTONIO is the correct solution.

The clue "Bumps on a log" uses wordplay. In this context, "log" refers to a tree, and "bumps" signify rough, knotted parts. "GNARLS" describes twisted, rough knots or protrusions often found on tree trunks or logs, perfectly fitting the clue's imagery.

The answer "GAINERS" fits the clue "Fancy diving flips" as it refers to a type of diving maneuver where the diver starts facing forward but flips backward toward the diving board. The word "fancy" highlights the athletic skill required for such an advanced move.

The answer is STRATO because "Strato-" is a prefix relating to the stratosphere, a layer of Earth's atmosphere. When combined with "-caster," it typically refers to something involved with weather or atmospheric phenomena, like a meteorological broadcaster or device.

On its own, “RASS” isn’t meaningful here, but it provides the last letters of the Down entry (“ASS”) and reveals “ASS” as the animal for this magnet pair, part of the clever theme combining animals with directional wordplay.

On its own, “ELKN” isn’t valid, but it contains “NKLE” in reverse, completing PERIWINKLE in 58-Down and contributing “ELK” to the animal magnet theme. This reversal trick reinforces the puzzle’s clever magnetic pull across clues.

“BOWL” doesn’t stand alone here, but it completes the 60-Down answer and contributes “OWL” as another animal “attracted” by the magnetic theme.

GNUY is nonsensical on its own, but read backward, it supplies “GNU” for the theme. It also completes the 64-Down entry with “UNG,” reinforcing the magnetic pull concept that binds the animal names to each pair.

The answer "LEAF" fits because leaves often change color in the fall (from green to red, yellow, etc.) as part of the season's natural cycle before they eventually fall from trees. This clue uses a literal reference to the process many leaves undergo.

The clue "Vegas opener?" uses a pun with "opener," hinting at the start of the name Las Vegas. In this case, "opener" playfully refers to the first word in the city's name, which is "Las." Hence, the answer is LAS.

The answer is SIA because she is a one-named pop star known for hits like "Chandelier" and "Cheap Thrills." Sia releases her music under the label Monkey Puzzle Records, which is her own record label. This directly connects her to the clue.

The answer "MAAS" refers to the cries of kids, specifically a playful representation of how children address their "mamas" or call for their mothers. It's a phonetic play on "mama's," fitting the clue "Kids' cries."

The answer is EMINEM because the rapper set a Guinness World Record with his song "Rap God," delivering 1,560 words in about six minutes. His rapid-fire, intricate rhyming style makes him renowned for his lyrical speed and complexity, fitting this record-breaking achievement.

The answer is ANA because Ana de Armas is a well-known actress who starred in the film "Blade Runner 2049". This clue uses her last name, "De Armas," to refer specifically to her, with her first name being the solution.

Fibonacci and Galileo were both from Pisa, Italy, making them "Pisans" — residents of Pisa. The answer ties to their shared geographic origin, with "two" indicating the plural form. This clue relies on knowing their Italian roots rather than their scientific achievements.

ANIMAL MAGNETISM is the theme: animals like DOG, RAT, and OWL are drawn to each other across magnetic pairs in the grid. Each Across entry hides an animal and completes a Down entry that spills over, capturing both the pull of magnetism and the puzzle’s clever wordplay.

The phrase "Dance in celebration" directly suggests performing a lively movement or dance. "DO A JIG" explicitly describes a celebratory Irish dance, commonly associated with joy or festivity. The answer splits naturally into instructions ("DO") and the dance ("A JIG"), perfectly fitting the clue's intent.

The clue "Single-use binders" is a clever pun. ZIPTIES are plastic fasteners often used to bind or secure items, but they are typically single-use because they can’t be reopened without cutting them. This makes them a perfect fit for the clue's description!

The clue "You gotta be kidding me!" is in quotation marks, signaling a spoken expression. "SHEESH" is an exclamation often used to express disbelief, frustration, or exasperation, which matches the tone of the clue. It’s a fitting colloquial reaction to something surprising or absurd.

The clue "Reddit endorsement" implies support or approval on Reddit. On the platform, users show endorsement by clicking the "UPVOTE" button, boosting the visibility of a post or comment. The pun-like nature of "endorsement" ties directly to this platform-specific action. Thus, the answer is UPVOTE.

OLESTRA is a fat substitute used in low-calorie snack products. Chemically, it mimics the properties of fat but is not absorbed by the body, providing the taste and texture of fat without calories. The clue directly refers to its role as a substitute for dietary fat.

The answer "QUANTA" refers to the smallest discrete amounts or packets of energy in quantum physics. Energy is quantized, meaning it exists in these individual units (quanta), as described by quantum theory. The clue directly points to this fundamental scientific concept.

The answer is DEARER because "dear" can mean costly or expensive. The comparative form "dearer" directly translates to "more expensive." This reflects the straightforward definition of the clue without wordplay or additional hints.

The answer "NOD" fits the clue "Drift (off)" as it refers to the act of nodding off, a common phrase meaning to fall asleep or doze off. The parentheses suggest an informal phrasing, aligning with "nodding off" as a slang term for sleepiness.

The answer "AFT" refers to the rear section of a ship or aircraft. In nautical terminology, "aft" specifically means the area toward the back, aligning perfectly with the clue "Captain's rear," which points to this part of a vessel.

The phrase "Not go along, say" refers to choosing not to participate or agreeing to exclude oneself from something. "Opt out" perfectly captures this meaning, as it means to deliberately decide not to partake or go along with a plan, group, or activity.