Anniversary celebration for an adopted pet - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "I got you" is enclosed in quotes, indicating a spoken phrase. "Roger" is commonly used in radio communication to mean "I understand" or "I got you." It fits perfectly as a succinct acknowledgment, aligning with the conversational nature of the clue.

The clue "Sleuth Holmes" refers to Enola Holmes, the sister of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Enola is the protagonist of a book and film series where she showcases her own sleuthing abilities, making "ENOLA" the fitting solution.

The answer "ACTIN" works as it plays on the double meaning of "act in." Literally, to "act in" a play means to be a part of it as a performer, fitting the clue's phrasing perfectly. It's a straightforward pun-based answer.

The clue uses wordplay. A decathlete competes in 10 track and field events, so they have "10 reasons" (events) to train and not skip workouts. The structure of "dec-" (Greek for ten) and "athlete" reinforces the connection to this multi-event competitor.

The clue "As if!" in quotes signals a verbal expression or exclamation. "PAH" is a dismissive sound expressing disbelief or sarcasm, akin to saying, "Yeah, right!" or "Sure!" It's commonly used to mock or reject an implausible claim, fitting perfectly with the clue's tone.

The clue "Like some games" refers to games played on an opponent's territory, often referred to as "away games" in sports. Hence, the answer AWAY fits perfectly, as it describes the location or nature of these games.

LEDA is the correct answer because, in Greek mythology, Leda is the mother of Helen of Troy. She was seduced by Zeus, who took the form of a swan. Helen, renowned for her beauty, is a central figure in the myths surrounding the Trojan War.

The clue refers you to 11-Down, revealing that this is the last name of a performer in a classic comedy duo. The full name is ANNE MEARA, who teamed up with her husband Jerry Stiller as “Stiller and Meara.”

The clue "Chuting stars?" includes a pun. "Chuting" refers to parachuting, and "stars" suggests notable figures or individuals. SKYDIVERS are people who parachute through the sky, resembling "stars" falling. The playful wordplay connects parachuting ("chuting") with the idea of shining or notable figures.

The clue "OK signals, of a sort" indicates wordplay. "BEEPS" fits as short, concise sound signals often used to indicate confirmation or "OK," such as in machines, devices, or alerts. The phrase "of a sort" suggests an indirect interpretation, aligning with sound-based cues like beeps.

Clued with reference to 8-Down, this gives the first name of ANNE MEARA, part of the iconic comedy duo “Stiller and Meara,” popular in the 1960s and beyond.

The answer "TREETOADS" fits because tree toads are amphibians known for their sticky, adhesive toes, which help them cling to tree branches and surfaces. The clue describes their defining traits—being amphibians and sticky-footed—making TREETOADS the logical solution.

The clue "Gift from an angel" involves wordplay. An "angel" in business terms refers to an investor who provides capital to startups. "Seed money" is the initial funding (a gift of capital) to help the business grow, much like seeds grow into plants. Thus, the answer is SEEDMONEY.

The clue "Wall hanging, maybe" introduces wordplay. A "TVSET" fits because it's a television, often mounted or "hung" on a wall in modern setups. The "maybe" hints not all TVs are wall-mounted, allowing for the playful ambiguity.

The answer "CROCKER" refers to Betty Crocker, a well-known brand associated with baking and grocery products. While not an actual person, "Betty Crocker" is a fictional surname created for marketing purposes, making it fitting as a "grocery store surname."

The clue "Icelandic hot spot" hints at wordplay. While Iceland is known for its geothermal features, the key here is "hot spot," which figuratively refers to a SAUNA. Saunas are popular in Nordic cultures, including Iceland, where they are associated with heat and relaxation.

The clue "Fly-by-night?" with a question mark signals a pun or wordplay. A "redeye" is a late-night flight, typically departing and arriving during the night, tying to "fly" (as in a flight) and "by-night" (timing). The double meaning makes REDEYE the fitting answer.

The clue "Nuke, e.g." refers to a category of destructive weapons, specifically "Weapons of Mass Destruction" (WMD). A "nuke" (nuclear weapon) is a type of WMD, making WMD the correct answer. The "e.g." signals that "nuke" is just one example within this broader category.

The spleen is an organ in the body that acts as an "anatomical filter," filtering blood by removing old or damaged red blood cells and fighting infections. This medical function makes SPLEEN the correct answer for this clue.

The answer is NINASIMONE because the renowned singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist Nina Simone published her 1991 autobiography titled "I Put a Spell on You," sharing the same name as her iconic 1965 song. The clue directly references her work and life, making her the correct solution.

The clue "Crowded amorous outing" signals wordplay. "Group date" refers to a gathering where multiple people, often couples or singles, go out together in a romantic context. It’s a play on words blending "group" and "date," fitting the idea of a crowded outing.

The clue uses wordplay—"played" can hint at a musical performance, but "nonmusicians" implies they aren't using real instruments. "Air guitar" refers to miming playing a guitar without an actual instrument, a playful act that nonmusicians commonly "perform." Hence, AIRGUITAR fits perfectly.

HYACINTHS is the answer because they belong to the Asparagaceae family, which also includes asparagus and agave. This botanical connection links these plants as part of the same taxonomic group, making HYACINTHS a fitting solution for the clue.

The clue "Cuts down, say" uses wordplay with "say" suggesting an interpretive or figurative meaning. To cut down can mean to reduce something—like food intake. "DIETS" aligns perfectly as it involves reducing or controlling food consumption, fitting the phrase "cuts down" in a health-related context.

The Atlanta Falcons, an NFL team established in 1965, are one of the oldest sports franchises in the "Big Four" leagues never to win a championship. Despite appearing in two Super Bowls (1998 and 2016), they lost both, making "FALCONS" the fitting answer to this clue.

The clue "Some Lords, in brief" refers to members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament. "MPs" (short for Members of Parliament) are representatives in the UK government. While MPs are primarily in the House of Commons, some Lords can also have political roles. "In brief" signals the abbreviation.

The clue "Ploys" refers to deceptive or cunning strategies. The word "ruses" directly means tricks or schemes intended to deceive, making it synonymous with "ploys." This straightforward definition makes RUSES the correct answer for this clue.

The answer is TURNT because it’s modern slang describing someone or something wild, hyped, or full of energy, much like a raucous party. It’s derived from "turned up," referring to a lively or excited atmosphere. The slang perfectly fits the informal vibe of the clue.

The clue "Warmly welcome at the door" suggests a casual, friendly action. "SEEIN" is short for "seeing in," which implies inviting someone inside or happily receiving them at the door. It reflects an informal tone, aligning with the warmth and ease described in the clue.

The answer "MORAY" refers to the moray eel, a predator commonly found in coral reefs. These eels are known for their sharp teeth and lurking behavior in reef crevices, making them a fitting answer to the clue "Reef predator."

The answer "BETTE" is a pun. It sounds like "bet," an essential action of a professional gambler. The clue's play on words uses "Apt name" to suggest a fitting name tied to gambling, cleverly linking the name "Bette" to the activity of placing bets.

The clue "Ones who never apologize, say" uses wordplay with "asses," a slang term for stubborn or arrogant people. It humorously implies that such individuals refuse to admit fault or apologize, fitting the description. The "say" signals this is a colloquial or figurative interpretation, not literal.

The clue references Versailles, a French location, signaling the answer is in French. "Agreements" suggests affirmative responses, and in French, "yes" is "oui." The plural "agreements" indicates the plural "ouis," fitting both the language and the context of the clue.

The answer is ALBA because BBC ALBA is a real television channel dedicated to Gaelic-language programming in Scotland. "Alba" is the Gaelic word for Scotland, making it a fitting name for the channel. The clue points directly to this specific network.

The word "reek" means to emit a strong, unpleasant smell, which can be considered "offensive" to the senses. The clue uses "in a way" to indicate that the offensiveness may not be direct, but rather through foul odor. Hence, "reek" fits as the solution.

The clue "Lead-in to fix or text" asks for a prefix that can pair with both "fix" and "text." Adding "PRE" forms "prefix" and "pretext," both valid words. Hence, "PRE" is the solution as it serves as the proper lead-in for both terms.