Mind-boggling designs - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Impossible!" suggests an informal or spoken response. "No can do" is a colloquial phrase meaning something is not possible or feasible, perfectly aligning with "Impossible!" as the answer reflects this meaning in conversational language.

The clue "Ha ha ha!," on April Fools' Day suggests a playful, spoken reaction after tricking someone. The answer, IGOTYOU, captures that moment when a prankster reveals the joke to their target, with the phrase typically said in a light-hearted, teasing way.

The clue "Not so happy" suggests a comparative form of unhappiness. The comparative form of "glum" (meaning sad or dejected) is "glummer." Thus, GLUMMER is the correct answer, as it directly means "less happy" or "more glum."

The word "hence" is a synonym for "therefore," as both indicate a logical consequence or result. For example, "It rained, hence the roads are wet." This direct relationship makes "HENCE" the correct answer to the clue "Therefore."

The answer is CHER because she is both an acclaimed actress and music icon. She won an Acting Oscar for Moonstruck (1987) and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, recognizing her influential music career. Both honors align perfectly with the clue.

The clue "What's rounded up in a roundup" refers to gathering animals, specifically livestock like cattle, which is commonly done in a "roundup." These animals typically form a group or HERD, making HERD the correct answer. The pun lies in "rounding up" both physically and as a phrase.

The clue "Earth or sun, for example" describes celestial objects that are round or spherical in shape. An "ORB" is a synonym for a sphere or globe, fitting perfectly as a poetic or descriptive term for both Earth and the sun.

OSAKA is the solution because it is home to Shitennō-ji, the oldest officially recognized Buddhist temple in Japan, built in A.D. 593 by Prince Shōtoku. This temple is a cultural and historical landmark, aligning with the clue's description of the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan.

The word "liable" means "likely to" or "prone to," making it a direct synonym of the clue. For example, if someone is "liable to forget," they are "likely to forget," perfectly aligning with the clue's meaning.

USN is the solution because it stands for the United States Navy, the organization to which Navy SEALs belong. Navy SEALs are an elite military unit specializing in sea, air, and land operations, and "SEAL" itself is an acronym derived from these environments.

The answer is BACCHUS because in Roman mythology, Bacchus is the god of wine, revelry, and festivities. He is equivalent to the Greek god Dionysus, who is also associated with wine and celebration. The clue directly references a "wine god," fitting Bacchus perfectly.

The term "EYESORE" refers to something visually unpleasant or unattractive. A house with a long-unmowed lawn could be considered unsightly by neighbors or passersby, making it an "EYESORE." The "e.g." in the clue indicates this is one example of such an unattractive sight.

The clue "Anchor or heart, maybe" hints at designs often depicted as tattoos. Both an anchor and a heart are popular tattoo motifs. The "maybe" indicates that not all anchors or hearts are tattoos, but they commonly serve as inspiration for them, leading to the answer TATTOO.

The clue "Letters before Q, sometimes" refers to the LGBTQ+ acronym, which represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. The "Q" in the acronym sometimes follows "LGBT," making LGBT the correct answer. The "sometimes" indicates the varying forms of the acronym's usage.

The clue uses wordplay. "Decorated," in this case, refers to the prank of throwing toilet paper ("TP") over a house, often done around Halloween. The suffix "-ED" indicates the past tense, describing the house as having been "TPED" or decorated with toilet paper.

The University of North Carolina's sports teams are known as the Tar Heels. "Tarheel" historically refers to North Carolinians and is the nickname for their athletes, stemming from the state's history in tar and pitch production. Hence, a North Carolina athlete is a TARHEEL.

The answer "ENUF" is a phonetic spelling of "enough," reflecting the style and tone of the title from the Broadway play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf." It mirrors the unique and expressive language of Ntozake Shange's powerful work.

APU is the answer because Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is the shopkeeper who owns and runs the Kwik-E-Mart on The Simpsons. He is a recurring character known for his catchphrase "Thank you, come again!" and his role as a convenience store operator in the iconic animated series.

In common usage, a handshake often symbolizes agreement or sealing a deal. The word "PACT" refers to a formal agreement or treaty. Thus, the clue "What a handshake may lead to" aligns perfectly with "PACT," as handshakes typically signify mutual commitments or agreements.

The answer "TSAR" refers to the imperial title adopted by Russian rulers, which originates from "Caesar," a term used for Roman and Byzantine emperors. This title reflects the continuation of the Byzantine tradition of supreme rule and dates back to the empire's influence on Russian governance.

The clue references academic courses. "Trig" is short for trigonometry, which is often followed by calculus in a typical math sequence. "Calc" is a common abbreviation for calculus, making it the logical answer.

The clue "Verbal hesitations" refers to common filler sounds people make when pausing to think or hesitate while speaking. "UMS" is one of these verbal fillers, used universally to signal hesitation, making it the correct answer.

The clue "Chopper parts" refers to a helicopter, often nicknamed a "chopper." Key components of a helicopter are its ROTORS, which spin to generate lift and allow the chopper to fly. This makes ROTORS the correct answer for "Chopper parts."

The clue "Pokes in the ring" uses wordplay with "ring" referring to a boxing ring. In boxing, "pokes" are quick, sharp punches — commonly called JABS. This perfectly matches the definition and context, making JABS the solution.

The answer "AD ASTRA" refers to the 2019 Brad Pitt sci-fi thriller of the same name. In Latin, "Ad Astra" means "To the Stars," fitting the film's space exploration theme where Brad Pitt's character embarks on a mission to the outer reaches of the solar system.

The clue, "I don't care what that cost!", suggests a dismissive attitude toward the price because the value received outweighs the concern. The phrase "WORTH IT" perfectly conveys this sentiment, commonly used when something is deemed valuable regardless of its expense. It's a spoken expression, aligning with the clue's quotation marks.

The clue "You in?" is conversational and ends with a question mark. It mimics casual speech, asking if someone wants to join an activity. "WANNAGO" is a shortened, informal way of saying "Want to go?"—a common response to such an invitation, fitting the tone perfectly.

The answer "ICEOVER" fits the clue "Freeze up" because it describes the process of a surface, like a road or lake, being completely covered with ice, effectively freezing over. The term directly captures the idea of a freezing process leading to a solid state.

The answer is TEDTALK because the very first TED Talk was delivered in 1984 when the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference was founded. These talks are now widely recognized for spreading ideas through engaging presentations. The clue directly refers to this historical event.

The clue uses wordplay, hinted by "say." A "PREFAB" (short for prefabricated) house is constructed from pre-made sections assembled quickly, often in a day. The "built in a day" phrase aligns with the speed and efficiency of prefab construction, making it the fitting answer.

The clue "Long way to go?" uses wordplay with a pun. A "hall" is a long corridor, often a physical space one might "go" through. The question mark signals the playful interpretation, making "hall" a fitting answer to the clue.

The clue, "Sound" of a point sailing over someone's head, includes quotes, signaling a nonverbal sound. "WOOSH" represents the swift, airy sound of something quickly moving past—metaphorically a "point" flying over someone's head, as in missing the meaning or understanding. A playful, punny interpretation fits here.

The answer is WELTY because Eudora Welty was a celebrated American author who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1973 for her novel The Optimist's Daughter. Her last name completes the clue referencing this literary achievement.

The answer "DRAM" refers to a traditional Scottish unit of measurement for a small amount of liquid, commonly used to describe a small serving of whiskey. It's a succinct term often associated with whiskey drinking, making it a fitting solution for "Small amount of whiskey."

The clue "Goals" refers to objectives or targets one strives to achieve. "AIMS" is a synonym for goals, as both terms describe intentions or purposes to reach. The straightforward nature of the clue aligns perfectly with the definition of "AIMS".

The phrase "It's not you, it's me" often implies self-reflection or self-centeredness, which ties to "ego," representing one's sense of self or self-importance. The clue suggests a focus inward, making EGO the fitting solution.

The clue "You ___ me!" suggests a phrase where someone might express being owed something, like money or a favor. The word "owe" fits naturally here, completing the phrase as "You owe me!"—a common expression indicating indebtedness.