Small case for needles - NYT The Crossword Clue

In "Thar ___ blows!", the phrase references the famous cry of a sailor spotting a whale in Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick." Whales are often referred to as female (e.g., "she blows!"). "SHE" fits here as the term representing the whale being observed.

The answer "KARAOKE" fits the clue "Sing-along activity at a bar" because karaoke is a popular entertainment activity where people sing lyrics displayed on a screen, typically at bars or clubs, accompanied by instrumental tracks. This perfectly describes a sing-along event often held in such venues.

The answer is AZALEAS because they are flowering shrubs within the Rhododendron genus, known for their vibrant, colorful blooms. The clue specifically refers to “colorful shrubs,” which aligns with the vivid hues (like pink, red, and white) commonly associated with azaleas.

The answer "TESTY" fits the clue "In an irritable mood" because "testy" directly means irritable, irascible, or easily annoyed. It's a precise synonym in tone and meaning, describing someone prone to irritation or short-tempered behavior. This straightforward definition ties perfectly to the clue.

RFK is the solution because it refers to Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, a former sports venue in Washington, D.C. The stadium, named after the late U.S. Attorney General and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was used for various sports events before its closure.

The answer is ALI because the clue references Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer known for his famous quote, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." This line highlights his speed and power in the ring, making "ALI" a fitting solution.

The clue "Outset" refers to the beginning or start of something. "GETGO" is a colloquial term meaning the very start or beginning of a situation, aligning perfectly with the definition of "outset." It's a direct, informal synonym.

The clue "Lucifer" directly refers to SATAN, as "Lucifer" is another name commonly used for the Devil or Satan in religious texts and popular culture. It derives from Latin, meaning "light-bringer," and is often associated with Satan's fall from grace. Hence, SATAN is the correct answer.

The classic children's book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is set in Boston, where a family of ducks settles in the Public Garden near a pond. The pond is a central location for the story, making "POND" the fitting answer.

The clue "Sticky stuff" directly defines ADHESIVE, as adhesive is a substance used to stick objects or materials together. Its sticky quality perfectly matches the clue, making it a straightforward and fitting answer. This is a literal definition with no wordplay involved.

The answer "TEENAGE" fits the clue "Like most first-year college students" because the majority of first-year college students are typically within the age range of 18-19, which falls under the "teen" years. Therefore, they can be described as "teenage."

The clue features a pun: "Groundbreaking" refers both to innovation and the literal act of breaking ground in farming. The HOE, a simple yet revolutionary tool for ancient farmers, was used to till and break soil, making it a "groundbreaking invention" in a literal and figurative sense.

The answer is SNL, which stands for Saturday Night Live, a renowned sketch comedy and variety show that has aired since 1975. The clue specifies "in brief," signaling the abbreviation of the show's title. Its legendary status as a "longtime" sketch comedy institution makes it a perfect fit.

The clue "Before, poetically" suggests an archaic or literary term for "before." "Ere" is a poetic and old-fashioned word meaning "before," often used in literature and poetry, aligning perfectly with the clue's tone.

The clue "Not working, as a police officer" describes the state of a police officer when they are not actively on their job or shift. The term commonly used for this status is "OFF DUTY," meaning they are not performing work duties. Hence, the answer is OFFDUTY.

The answer is JAY because "Jay" is the name of a bird (such as the blue jay) and also phonetically sounds like the letter "J" in the alphabet. The clue uses wordplay, connecting the sound of the bird's name to the letter.

The clue "Skilled" directly aligns with the definition of ADEPT. "Adept" means highly skilled or proficient at something, making it a synonym for "Skilled." This straightforward clue is a vocabulary-based one with no wordplay involved, making ADEPT the perfect match.

The clue "Pack (down)" hints at pressing or compressing something into a compact form. "TAMP" means to firmly pack down or press something, such as soil or tobacco, into a container or space. The parenthetical "down" reinforces the concept of pressing downward, making TAMP the correct answer.

The answer is LIL because "Rapper ___ Nas X" refers to the widely known rapper and singer Lil Nas X. His stage name includes "Lil," a common prefix in many rapper names, making this a straightforward fill for the clue.

The clue "U.F.O. crew" uses wordplay to hint at extraterrestrials, commonly abbreviated as ETs. In popular culture, UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) are often associated with beings from outer space. Thus, the crew of a UFO would logically be "ETs," short for extraterrestrials.

The clue "Lower one's estimation of" suggests a reduction in worth or importance. "Devalue" directly means to diminish the value, worth, or importance of something, aligning perfectly with the clue's intent. It captures the act of lowering estimation, particularly in economic or abstract terms.

The clue "Yiddish laments" directly refers to the common Yiddish exclamation "Oys," which expresses frustration, sorrow, or dismay. As a plural form in this context, "Oys" (or "Oys!" exclaimed multiple times) captures the lamenting tone perfectly.

The term "bosom buddy" is a common phrase meaning a very close or intimate friend. "Bosom" metaphorically refers to the chest, where emotions are often associated, symbolizing deep affection or closeness. Therefore, BOSOM fits perfectly as the answer to "___ buddy."

The answer "POPSICLE" fits the clue "Treat on a stick that you lick" because a popsicle is a frozen dessert typically served on a wooden stick. It's meant to be licked to eat, matching the description perfectly. The clue directly describes a popsicle's key characteristics.

The clue "Bread purchase" refers to a whole unit of bread commonly bought: a loaf. A "loaf" is the standard form in which bread is sold, aligning perfectly with the idea of buying bread as a single purchase. This makes LOAF the correct answer.

The answer "ALA" works because it means "in the style of" or "in the manner of" in expressions like "à la mode" or "à la carte." It's commonly used to indicate something designed or done in the style of something else, matching "Styled after."

The clue "Parking place" refers literally to a location where cars are parked. A "LOT" is a common term for a parking area or parking lot, making it the correct solution. The clue is straightforward with no wordplay involved.

The clue "Put together, as a scrapbook" suggests organizing or assembling various elements. The word "COMPILE" perfectly fits, as it means to gather and arrange materials into a collection—just as one would do when creating a scrapbook.

RECUSAL is the act of voluntarily stepping aside or withdrawing from a role, decision, or case due to a conflict of interest to ensure impartiality. The clue directly references this disengagement in such situations, making RECUSAL the appropriate solution.

The phrase "Left hanging between two stages" metaphorically describes being in an uncertain or transitional state, neither progressing nor completing, which directly aligns with the meaning of "in limbo." "Limbo" is often used to depict being stuck between phases or states, making it a perfect fit.

An "ODE" is a type of poem that expresses high praise or admiration, often directed toward a person, object, or idea. The word "praiseful" in the clue directly points to the celebratory and reverent tone typical of an ode, making it the correct answer.

CAF is short for "caf," referring to caffeinated coffee. In a "Half-caf" coffee order, the drink is made with half caffeinated and half decaffeinated coffee. The clue hints at a common abbreviation used in coffee shop terminology, making CAF the correct answer.

The solution "ATLAS" refers to the iconic bronze statue of Atlas in Rockefeller Center, New York City. The statue depicts Atlas, a figure from Greek mythology, holding the celestial spheres on his shoulders, symbolizing strength and endurance. This aligns perfectly with the clue's description.

The answer is LEICA because it is a renowned German company specializing in high-end cameras and optical products. Founded in 1914, its cameras are synonymous with precision, craftsmanship, and quality, fitting the "high-end" descriptor in the clue. This makes LEICA the correct solution.

STUBS is the solution because when you tear checks out of a checkbook, the small, leftover portions (or "stubs") remain attached. These stubs usually serve as records of the issued checks, making them the "things left" after the removal of the checks.

RKOS refers to RKO Pictures, a major Hollywood studio from the 1920s-1950s, whose theaters showcased its films. The plural clue "theaters" fits because RKO owned numerous theaters. “Bygone” indicates they no longer exist, aligning with RKO’s defunct status after its mid-20th century decline.

The clue "Revolutionary Guevara" directly refers to Ernesto "Che" Guevara, a prominent Marxist revolutionary and key figure in the Cuban Revolution. "Che" was his widely recognized nickname, making it the concise and fitting answer for this clue.

The clue "No-longer-cool way to say 'cool'" refers to outdated slang. "Hep" was a term popular in the mid-20th century to mean "cool" or "hip." Over time, it became old-fashioned, fitting the "no-longer-cool" aspect of the clue.

The answer is CNN because it was the first television channel to provide 24-hour news coverage. CNN (Cable News Network) launched in 1980, pioneering round-the-clock news reporting, which was a groundbreaking format for its time, setting it apart from traditional news programming.

The answer KEG fits because a keg is a type of small barrel commonly used to store and serve beer. The term "beer barrel" directly refers to this container, making KEG the precise and logical solution to the clue.

The clue "Affirmative!" at sea uses the exclamation point and "at sea" to hint at nautical jargon. AYE is the traditional term sailors use to signify agreement or confirmation, making it the perfect answer for this context.