*Fruit from a bush, much used in pies and jams - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "CRISP" is correct because in British English, what Americans call "potato chips" are referred to as "crisps." This reflects a difference in terminology between British and American English for the same thinly sliced, fried snack.

The answer is TKO, which stands for "Technical Knockout" in boxing. It's called when the referee stops a fight because one fighter can't continue safely. The clue says "informally" because TKO is a common abbreviation used casually in conversation about boxing.

The clue "Award you can wear" directly points to a tangible form of recognition that can be physically worn. A MEDAL fits perfectly, as it is a decorative award often hung around the neck or pinned, symbolizing achievement or honor. This makes MEDAL the precise answer.

The "Tower of Hanoi" is a well-known mathematical puzzle involving disks of varying sizes. The goal is to move all disks from one peg to another, following specific rules. The name comes from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, connecting the puzzle to its title in the clue.

"Kyoto" is a city in Japan, and the clue's use of this location suggests the answer is related to Japanese currency. The Japanese currency is the yen (¥), making "YEN" the correct answer for "Cash in Kyoto."

The answer is ORATE because to "orate" means to speak formally or give a speech, often in a public or expressive way. Delivering a TED talk involves public speaking, fitting the definition of "orate." The word "say" in the clue suggests a synonym like orate in this context.

In roughhousing or playful fighting, saying "Uncle!" is a common way to surrender or admit defeat, effectively asking the other person to stop. The quotation marks in the clue indicate the answer is spoken, aligning with this context. Hence, the solution is UNCLE.

The answer is "PIT" because a plum contains a hard, inedible seed in its center, commonly called a pit. Pears, on the other hand, have small seeds but no central pit. This clue plays on the literal difference between these fruits, with no wordplay involved.

The clue "Situated long-term" suggests being established or settled in a specific location for an extended period. The word "BASED" is often used to indicate where one resides or operates from persistently, making it a fitting solution for this clue.

The clue includes quotation marks, signaling a twist on the meaning of "wasabi." At many sushi bars, what is called "wasabi" is often not authentic wasabi (a rare Japanese plant) but a mix containing horseradish. HORSERADISH is the common substitute, making it the fitting answer.

The answer is CRABAPPLE because "crab" is a slang term for a grouchy or ill-tempered person, and a crabapple is a type of fruit. The pun in the clue ("whose name is also") cleverly links the fruit's name to the synonym for a grouch.

The clue "Said 'speaking of which,' say" suggests an action or transition in conversation. "Speaking of which" indicates a seamless shift or connection to a related topic, which is the definition of "segued." SEGUED (past tense of segue) means smoothly transitioning from one subject to another, fitting perfectly.

The clue "Held office" suggests someone fulfilled a role or position in a formal capacity, such as in government or leadership. The word "SERVED" corresponds to this, indicating they "served" in that position or office during their term. It fits the definition perfectly in this context.

The answer "PLOP" fits because it describes the sound or action of sitting heavily or unceremoniously, often without care or grace. The addition of "down" in the clue highlights the physical action, while "unceremoniously" emphasizes the casual, abrupt nature that "plop" implies.

The answer "SUB" refers to a type of sandwich, also known as a hoagie in certain regions, particularly in the U.S. Both terms describe a long bread roll filled with meats, cheeses, and other toppings. "Hoagie" and "sub" are synonymous in this context.

The clue "Contest before a final, informally" refers to a "semifinal," often shortened informally to "semi." A semifinal is typically the round in a competition that determines which participants advance to the final, making SEMI the correct answer.

The clue "Bathroom, to Brits" asks for a British term for "bathroom." In British English, "loo" is a commonly used informal term for bathroom or toilet, making it the correct answer to this clue.

The answer is STOMACH because "to stomach" something means to endure or handle it, often when it's unpleasant or tough to accept — much like managing tough or challenging information. The clue uses figurative language to hint at this metaphorical meaning.

The answer is GOV because ".gov" is a domain suffix reserved exclusively for U.S. government entities. Most civilians or non-government organizations are not eligible to register ".gov" domains, aligning with the clue's restriction. This makes it a distinguishing domain for governmental use only.

The clue "___ a free country" implies a conversational or colloquial phrase. The answer "ITS" completes the phrase "It's a free country," a common saying suggesting freedom or personal choice. The use of quotes signals a spoken phrase, aligning perfectly with this answer.

The answer is PIRANHA because it is a well-known omnivorous fish native to the rivers of the Amazon basin. Piranhas feed on a variety of plant and animal matter, fitting the clue's description. Their infamous sharp teeth and group behavior make them iconic Amazonian predators.

The answer "ETA" stands for "Estimated Time of Arrival," which is commonly shared by someone on their way to let others know when they expect to arrive. It directly matches the clue's description of "info from someone who's on the way."

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are iconic characters from Nickelodeon's series. The word "teenage" directly describes them, as they're adolescent turtles. The clue points to this defining trait, making TEENAGE the correct answer.

The clue "Widens, as a pupil" refers to the physiological action where the pupil of the eye enlarges to let in more light, such as in dim lighting. The word "dilates" perfectly describes this widening action, making it the correct answer.

The clue "Make yawn, say" hints at causing boredom or lack of interest, which can lead to yawning. The answer "BORE" is a verb meaning to tire or dull someone's interest, effectively "making" them yawn. The "say" signals a loose interpretation or example of the term.

The answer "CODA" refers to the concluding section of a musical or literary work. In music, a coda serves as the final passage bringing a piece to its end. It's synonymous with a "concluding part," directly aligning with the clue's definition.

REVERB is the solution because it refers to the electronic effect used in audio engineering to simulate echoes or the sound reflections in a space. "Electronically produced" directly connects to sound manipulation tools, and "echo effect" describes the lingering, repeated sound characteristic of reverb.

The clue "Fine, I guess" is in quotes, indicating a conversational or spoken phrase. "OKSURE" fits as a casual, somewhat indifferent response someone might say when reluctantly agreeing or conceding, matching the tone and meaning of the clue.

The clue "Ripped" directly corresponds to its synonym "TORE," as both describe the act of tearing something apart or into pieces. Since there’s no wordplay or alternate meanings here, the solution is straightforward: TORE is the past tense of the verb “to rip.”

The answer "NOCAP" comes from internet slang, especially popular on social media. It means "no lie" or "for real," used to emphasize honesty or seriousness. For "Dead serious," in modern lingo, "NOCAP" fits perfectly as an expression affirming that someone is completely truthful or genuine.

The answer "LILY" refers to "lily of the valley," a well-known fragrant flowering plant. The blank in the clue indicates the key part of the plant's name, making "LILY" the solution. It's a straightforward botanical reference frequently used in crossword puzzles.

The answer is EARL because Earl Sweatshirt is the stage name of a well-known rapper and musician. His real name is Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, and he gained prominence in the hip-hop collective Odd Future. The blank in the clue directly references his stage name.

The clue "Bring together" asks for a word meaning to combine or join into one. "UNITE" fits perfectly as it means to come or bring together into a single entity, aligning directly with the clue's definition. There’s no wordplay, so this is a straightforward synonym-based clue.

The word "TAME" means to calm, control, or domesticate something wild, which aligns with "pacify," meaning to soothe or bring under control. Both words suggest reducing intensity or wildness, making "TAME" a fitting synonym for "Pacify" in this context.

The clue refers to the ice cream brand called Dreyer's, which is sold under the name "Edy's" east of the Rocky Mountains. Dreyer's and Edy's are the same brand but use different names based on the geographic location, making EDYS the correct answer.

The answer is TESSA because Tessa Thompson is a well-known actress who starred in the films "Selma" as Diane Nash and "Creed" as Bianca. The clue directly references her by her full name and notable roles, leading to her first name, TESSA.

The clue uses wordplay: powdered sugar on a gingerbread house resembles snow due to its white, powdery appearance. The comparison highlights the visual similarity between the sugar and a snowy winter scene, fitting the decorative, festive context of a gingerbread house. Thus, "SNOW" is the clever answer.