Oil smugglers? - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Break off" suggests halting or ceasing an action, which directly aligns with the meaning of "STOP." To "break off" can also imply an abrupt end, making STOP a concise and fitting solution.

The answer is YANN because Yann Tiersen is a well-known French musician and composer, famous for his work on the soundtrack of the film Amélie and other acclaimed pieces. The clue specifies "French musician/composer," directly pointing to him.

The clue "Come to" suggests arriving at or attaining something. "REACH" fits as it means to arrive at a destination, conclusion, or goal, aligning with "come to" in contexts like reaching a place or realizing something. Its versatility makes it the precise answer.

The clue "Kind of survivor" refers to someone who has survived alone, emphasizing singularity. "LONE" describes being solitary or single, making it a fitting adjective for a "lone survivor," a common phrase describing a person who endures without others.

The clue asks for a "Name hidden in 'disobedience'." This means the answer is concealed as a sequence of letters within the word "disobedience." Looking closely, you can find the name "EDIE" in order within "disobedience" (disoEDIEnce).

The answer "ENLAI" refers to Zhou Enlai, a prominent historical figure in Chinese history. He was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from 1949 to 1976. His surname is Zhou, directly matching the clue, making "ENLAI" the correct solution.

The clue "Yard, e.g." refers to a yard as a unit of measurement, such as in length (3 feet). "Unit" is the correct answer because a yard is an example of a standard unit used to quantify distance or measurement.

The clue "Some stain preventers" refers to items that help protect furniture from stains. SOFACOVERS are fabric or covers placed over sofas to shield them from spills, dirt, or wear, making them effective "stain preventers." The plural form matches "Some," aligning perfectly with the clue's phrasing.

The clue "Challenges for management" uses wordplay. In workplaces or teams, large or clashing EGOS can create difficulties for management to oversee and coordinate effectively. In this context, "management" faces challenges managing individuals' self-importance or pride, making EGOS a fitting answer.

The term "UNCANNY VALLEY" describes the unsettling feeling when robots or human-like figures appear almost, but not entirely, lifelike. The eeriness arises because their near-human appearance feels off or strange, which fits the clue "Eerie phenomenon when a robot seems too lifelike." This psychological effect explains the answer.

The clue references newspapers in specific cities. Both Boston and Miami have prominent newspapers named "Herald"—the Boston Herald and the Miami Herald. Thus, "HERALD" is the correct answer, referring to these newspaper titles directly.

The clue "Bone, in Bologna" signals a foreign language indicator, specifically Italian, as Bologna is in Italy. In Italian, the word for "bone" is "osso." Thus, the answer is OSSO. This aligns with the straightforward translation from English to Italian.

The clue "Neutralize bad karma, say" suggests a spiritual or moral remedy. "ATONE" means to make amends or seek forgiveness for wrongs, effectively "neutralizing" negative actions (or "bad karma"). The word "say" hints at an interpretation rather than a literal meaning. This makes ATONE the exact fit.

The clue "Bad guys" refers to immoral or dishonorable men. "CADS" fits because it describes men who behave dishonorably, particularly toward women, making them metaphorical "bad guys" in character or actions. It’s a concise synonym aligned with the clue’s tone.

The Marquette River in Michigan is named after Jacques Marquette, a French Jesuit missionary. The French word "Père" means "Father," a title often used for priests and missionaries. Thus, "Père Marquette" refers to Father Marquette, making PERE the correct answer.

The answer "NIL" means "nothing," aligning with the clue's straightforward definition. It's a common term used in sports scores (e.g., "2–0" is "2-nil") and general language to denote zero, none, or nothing—perfectly matching the clue's simplicity.

The clue "", to a typist, utilizes wordplay, referring to the symbol "" (called an asterisk). To a typist, this symbol phonetically sounds like "star key," as the asterisk is often accessed via the "star" key on a keyboard. Thus, the correct answer is "STARKEY."

The answer is PIG because Babe is the title character of the 1995 movie Babe, which is about a pig who dreams of becoming a sheepdog. The clue refers to Babe's species, making "pig" the logical solution.

The "DELT" is short for the deltoid muscle, named after the Greek letter delta (Δ) due to its triangular shape. It’s located in the shoulder and its shape directly inspires its name, perfectly aligning "muscle named for its shape, for short" to "DELT."

The clue "What's the big ___?" uses a question mark to signal wordplay. This phrase is commonly completed as "What's the big idea?"—an expression often used to question someone's actions or intentions. Hence, "IDEA" fits perfectly as the answer.

"Getting in one guess, as Wordle" refers to perfectly solving the puzzle in just one try, signifying high skill or luck. "Acing" is a term meaning to excel or perform flawlessly in a task, aligning perfectly with the idea of solving Wordle in one guess.

The answer "EPEE" fits because it's one of the three main weapons used in the sport of fencing, alongside foil and saber. The clue, "Fencing option," directly hints at this specific weapon, which is characterized by a stiffer blade and rules focused on targeting the entire body.

The answer "BLOCKY" fits because Brutalist architecture is known for its massive, geometric, and block-like designs. This style features large, solid concrete structures with a heavy, fortress-like appearance, which visually aligns with the term "blocky." The clue directly references this defining characteristic.

The books "Jonathan Loved David" and "Take Back the Word" explore queer perspectives in religious texts and interpretations. QUEER THEOLOGY examines theological concepts through LGBTQ+ affirming lenses, making it the subject these works analyze. The clue directly points to this specialized theological approach.

The clue "Alley oops?" features a pun. In bowling, an "oops" in the alley often refers to a mistake, specifically when the ball falls into the gutter—thus scoring a "GUTTERBALL." The playful word "oops" ties to the mishap, making this a fitting match.

The answer "LADY" fits the clue "Noble title" because "Lady" is a traditional title of nobility, often used for women of rank, such as the wife of a lord or someone of aristocratic status in the British peerage system. It directly refers to a formal noble title.

The clue "Rigid sort of interpreter" points to someone who interprets things strictly or exactly as they are, without flexibility or nuance. A LITERALIST interprets words or situations in their most direct, literal sense, aligning perfectly with the idea of being rigid in interpretation.

The clue "Gal(lic) pal" hints at a French connection, as "Gallic" refers to France or French culture. "Pal" implies a friend. In French, "amie" means a female friend, making AMIE the correct answer. The parenthetical "(lic)" cleverly points to the French element.

The clue "Glass production" refers to the famous composer Philip Glass, known for his operatic works. The term "production" hints at a performance or creation, connecting to Glass's numerous operas like "Einstein on the Beach." Thus, OPERA is the apt answer.

The answer "URIE" refers to Brendon Urie, the lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist of the band Panic! at the Disco. His name directly matches the clue, making this answer straightforward and rooted in pop culture knowledge.

The answer is NENA because she is the German singer who famously performed the 1983 hit song "99 Luftballons." This international anti-war anthem became widely popular and is closely associated with her name. The clue directly references the title of her biggest hit.

The phrase "Blow out" can mean to explode or rupture suddenly, which aligns with the definition of "BURST." Both describe a sudden, forceful release, like a balloon popping or a tire exploding, fitting the clue's straightforward nature without wordplay or alternate meanings.

The phrase "got a load of" means to notice or take in something visually. "EYED" perfectly fits as it describes the act of looking at or observing something carefully, aligning with the clue’s intent. It’s a straightforward synonym for perceiving with one’s eyes.

The answer "TSKS" represents the sound of a "tsk" or tongue-clicking sound often used to express mild disapproval or disdain. The clue specifies "somewhat audible disparagements," indicating subtle, nonverbal gestures of disapproval, perfectly matching the meaning of "TSKS."