Popular chocolate biscuit from Down Under - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "MARX" refers to Karl Marx, the 19th-century philosopher and political theorist known for critiquing capitalism and bureaucracy. This quote aligns with his views on the inefficiency and self-perpetuating nature of bureaucracies as outlined in his writings, notably in works like "Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right."

The clue "So" suggests a connection, consequence, or reasoning. "ERGO" is a Latin word meaning "therefore" or "hence," which aligns with this interpretation. It's often used to indicate a logical conclusion, making it a suitable answer to the clue.

The clue "___ folder" refers to a specific type of email folder. SPAM is the answer because email services typically categorize unwanted or junk emails into a "Spam" folder. This folder automatically filters messages deemed irrelevant or suspicious, making "Spam" the logical solution.

The Sphinx is a massive limestone statue in Egypt, famously located on the Giza Plateau near the Great Pyramids. As such, "GIZA" is the correct answer, referring to the site where the Sphinx can be found.

"VOGUE" is the correct answer because it signifies the prevailing trend or style in fashion, aligning perfectly with the clue "Prevailing fashion." The word "vogue" itself is often synonymous with being in style or widely popular at a given time, directly matching the clue's intent.

The phrase "Cranked up to 11" references the famous scene from the movie This Is Spinal Tap, where an amplifier’s volume is exaggeratedly increased beyond the typical maximum (10). This implies extreme volume or intensity, hence the answer is LOUD.

The clue "Italian seasoning" hints at a term in Italian. "Pepe" is the Italian word for "pepper," a common seasoning in Italian cuisine. Since the clue implies something directly tied to Italy, the Italian word "pepe" fits perfectly as the answer.

The clue refers to "Manga," Japanese comic-style art. Its "film counterpart" would be the animated version of these stories, which is called "ANIME." Anime and manga are closely related art forms, with manga often being the source material for anime adaptations.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the freedom of the press, protecting journalists and media from government interference in reporting and publishing. The clue refers to this constitutional right, making PRESS the correct answer as it directly ties to this specific freedom.

The answer is PSIS because the Greek letter Psi (Ψ in uppercase, ψ in lowercase) resembles a pitchfork with its three-pronged shape. The clue references the visual similarity of the Greek letter to the tool, making "PSIS" the fitting plural form.

The clue "Ward (off)" means to repel or defend against something, which aligns perfectly with the definition of "fend." To "fend off" something means to resist or protect yourself from it, making FEND the correct answer.

The clue "Predator with a big mouth, informally" hints at a commonly used nickname. "Big mouth" suggests a creature with a large jaw for catching prey, and "informally" points to a casual term. GATOR is the informal shorthand for alligator, a predator known for its large mouth.

The clue "Meeting, for short" suggests an abbreviated or informal term for a meeting. "SESH" is a slang shorthand for "session," often used to refer to casual gatherings or discussions. Its brevity and informal tone align with the clue’s phrasing, making SESH the correct answer.

The clue "Post" refers to the delivery of letters or packages, which is commonly associated with the term MAIL. It's a straightforward synonym—post is used interchangeably with mail in many English-speaking countries to describe the postal service or correspondence.

The answer is LEIA because Carrie Fisher famously portrayed Princess Leia Organa in the "Star Wars" film series. Princess Leia is an iconic character known for her leadership in the Rebel Alliance, bravery, and distinctive hairstyle, making this a straightforward reference to her role.

The clue "Send from bank to bank" refers to transferring money electronically, often between two financial institutions (banks). The term "WIRE" is commonly used for such transfers, as in a "wire transfer." It fits the clue's context perfectly.

The phrase DOESN’T HAVE A CLUE literally refers to a clue-less entry—76-Across, which is clued only with [—]. That entry solves to TEE, which phonetically gives us the final key letter: T. It’s a clever instance of cross-puzzle wordplay.

The phrase "Depleted, as savings" implies reducing or using up savings. ATE INTO is an idiomatic expression meaning to gradually consume, diminish, or erode something, such as savings. The verb "ate" metaphorically conveys the act of something being consumed or diminished over time, fitting the clue perfectly.

The word "TOTED" means carried, often with effort, which aligns closely with the definition of "Hauled." Both involve moving something heavy or burdensome, making "TOTED" the fitting answer to this straightforward clue. There’s no wordplay or special hint in this case—just a synonym match!

The word "IGNOBLE" means lacking honor, morality, or dignity—essentially dishonorable. It directly matches the clue, as the two are synonyms. Both describe something or someone considered base, shameful, or unworthy. The answer fits the context perfectly without requiring wordplay.

"Moolah" is a slang term for money. The answer, DINERO, is the Spanish word for "money." The clue doesn't directly mention Spanish, but the use of this foreign language synonym cleverly ties to the informal, casual tone of "moolah."

ROMEO is a fitting answer because he is one of Shakespeare's most famous romantic characters from "Romeo and Juliet." As a "lover," he embodies devotion and passion, making him synonymous with Shakespearean romance and fitting the clue perfectly.

ALFRED is the answer because Alfred Pennyworth is the iconic butler to Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, in DC Comics. He is a loyal and trusted confidant, assisting Bruce in his duties as both a billionaire and vigilante superhero. This clue directly references his role.

The clue "Subj. of arms talks" refers to discussions about weapons. "Arms" here means weaponry, and WMD stands for "Weapons of Mass Destruction," major subjects in arms negotiations and treaties. The abbreviation aligns with the shortened "Subj." in the clue.

The answer is YOSHI because Yoshi is a well-known dinosaur character and sidekick in the Mario video game series by Nintendo. He assists Mario on adventures, often serving as a companion or rideable ally, making him the perfect fit for the clue "Mario's dinosaur sidekick."

The clue "I wish I could ___ that!" suggests a desire to undo seeing something unpleasant or disturbing. The answer, UNSEE, plays on the concept of wishing one could mentally erase the memory of an unwanted visual—thus fitting this phrase perfectly.

The clue "Fruit picker of old" uses wordplay to reference the biblical story of Adam and Eve. In Genesis, Eve famously picked the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, making her the "fruit picker of old." This ties directly to her role in this ancient narrative.

The answer "ATONE" fits because it means to make amends, seek forgiveness, or compensate for a wrongdoing. The phrase "for" in the clue emphasizes addressing or repairing a specific fault or harm, which aligns perfectly with the definition of "atone."

The answer "TAP" refers to the contactless payment method where a user simply taps their credit card, smart card, or device on a terminal to complete a transaction. It's a common checkout option in stores, aligning perfectly with the clue's context of credit card payments.

The answer "TAU" refers to the tau particle, a fundamental particle in physics. It is part of the lepton family, alongside electrons and muons. The clue “___ particle” directly points to this scientific term, making TAU the correct solution.

The answer is TRAIN because it forms compound phrases: bullet train (a high-speed rail) and toilet train (to teach a child to use the toilet). The clue plays on the versatility of the word "train" in different contexts.

The clue refers to Rafael Nadal, a famous Spanish tennis player beloved by fans. "Rafa" is a common, affectionate nickname for him widely used by both fans and commentators. The clue indicates familiarity ("to fans"), pointing to this informal name instead of his full name.

In Japanese, "san" (さん) is a common honorific suffix added to names to show respect, similar to "Mr." or "Ms." in English. It is widely used regardless of gender or social standing, making it the perfect answer for the clue "Japanese honorific."

The clue "Deg. with courses on accounting and management" refers to a degree program that includes these subjects. An MBA, or Master of Business Administration, is specifically designed to cover topics like accounting, management, and other business-related areas, making it the perfect fit for the clue.

The phrase "Squeaks (by)" refers to barely managing or narrowly getting by, often under challenging circumstances. "Ekes" is a verb meaning to make a meager living or just get by, perfectly matching the clue's meaning. The parentheses further hint at this subtle, figurative usage.

MTV is the answer because it was a cable channel, launching in 1981, that revolutionized television by primarily airing music videos. Its early "On Cable. In Stereo" motto highlighted its cutting-edge stereo sound technology, embracing the format's appeal during its iconic early years as a music-focused network.

The clue "___ be a shame ..." represents a conversational, incomplete phrase often spoken aloud. The correct answer, "ITD," is short for "It'd" (a contraction of "It would"). This fits naturally into the blank, completing the phrase as "It'd be a shame," which is a commonly used expression.

The answer is EMU because Liberty Mutual's mascot is an emu, featured prominently in their advertising campaigns alongside "LiMu Emu" and Doug, a quirky duo promoting the insurance company. The clue directly references this bird character, making EMU the fitting solution.

The clue "Physique, informally" is asking for a casual or shorthand term for "physique." The answer is BOD, which is a colloquial abbreviation for "body," commonly used to reference someone's physical form or build in an informal context.

In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as a clever trickster and the god of trade, thieves, and cunning. He used his wit and resourcefulness to play pranks, deceive, and outsmart others, embodying the trickster archetype. This makes HERMES the perfect solution for the clue.

The answer is NASSAU because it is the capital of The Bahamas, located just about 185 miles east of Miami, making it the geographically closest world capital to the city. This clue directly references physical proximity without any wordplay or additional layers of meaning.

This entry has no written clue—just a dash—so it “doesn’t have a clue,” tying into the theme. The answer is TEE, a homophone for the letter “T.” It provides the final letter in the meta-answer EXIT, completing the “key” that unlocks the puzzle’s escape room concept.

The answer "OUST" directly means to remove or force someone out of a position, typically of authority or power. It fits perfectly with the clue "Remove from power," as "oust" conveys dismissal or expulsion, aligning with the clue's definition.

The clue "Museo display" suggests a display often found in a museum, specifically in a Spanish-speaking context. "Museo" is Spanish for "museum," so the answer will also be in Spanish. "Arte" means "art" in Spanish, which aligns perfectly with what is commonly displayed in museums.

The clue "___ Mahal" refers to the famous Taj Mahal, an iconic white marble mausoleum in India. The blank is filled with "Taj," completing the name of this world-renowned landmark. No tricks or puns here—it’s a straightforward reference to a proper noun.

The answer is ORR because Bobby Orr is a legendary hockey player who played for the Boston Bruins. He is renowned as one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history, revolutionizing the position and leading the Bruins to two Stanley Cup victories.

The phrase "___ mater" commonly refers to "alma mater," a Latin term meaning "nourishing mother." It is used to describe a school, college, or university one has attended. ALMA completes the well-known expression "alma mater," making it the correct answer.

The answer "MIRE" fits the clue "Muck" as both refer to wet, sticky, or muddy ground. "MIRE" specifically denotes a swampy or difficult-to-navigate area, aligning perfectly with the idea of "muck," which suggests a muddy or messy situation. Both can metaphorically imply being stuck.

The answer "SPA" is hidden within the phrase "gets pampered" ("...getS PAmpered"), making it a wordplay clue. A spa is a place where one often goes to "get pampered" through massages, facials, or relaxation treatments, aligning perfectly with the clue's theme.

The answer "TAO" refers to the Taoist philosophy originating in ancient China. In Taoism, "Tao" (or "Dao") translates to "way" or "path," embodying the natural order and guiding principles of the universe. The clue directly points to this philosophical concept.

The answer "MIEN" refers to a person's demeanor or facial expression, often conveying their character or mood. It aligns with "Personal appearance" as it describes the outward bearing or manner someone presents, which contributes to how they are perceived.

The answer is ENID because Enid Blyton (1897–1968) was a famous British children's author, known for series like The Famous Five and The Secret Seven. Her work has become iconic in children's literature, making her a fitting answer to this straightforward clue.

The solution is TAN because M&M's removed the tan-colored candy from their mix in 1995, replacing it with blue after a public vote. This change marked a notable shift in the candy’s color lineup, making TAN the former color replaced by blue.

The clue "Stat!" ends with an exclamation mark, signaling urgency. "Stat" is shorthand for "immediately" in medical contexts. Similarly, ASAP (short for "as soon as possible") conveys urgency and haste, making it an equivalent response to the clue's context.

This Disney song title isn’t just a catchy clue, it’s a phonetic nudge. “Sea” sounds like “C,” and the only C in the grid appears in 31-Across. Under that C is the letter I (from IGNOBLE), making I the third letter in EXIT.

The clue "Fir coat?" includes a pun (indicated by the question mark). A "fir" is a type of tree, and its "coat" refers to its outer layer. Trees are covered by bark, which acts as their protective layer, making "BARK" the clever solution here.

The clue "Preceded, with 'to'" hints at something that led to or came before. The word "led up" means to precede or culminate in something. Adding "to" completes the phrase, making it "led up to," which aligns with the definition of preceding. Therefore, the answer is LEDUP.

The answer is XENON because it is a chemical element (symbol Xe) commonly used in strobe lights. Its properties, like emitting bright flashes when electrically excited, make it ideal for producing intense, short bursts of light, which are characteristic of strobe lights.

The answer "WARTY" is a play on the stereotypical traits of witches and gourds. Witches are often depicted with warts, and some types of gourds, like pumpkins or squash, have bumpy, wart-like textures, connecting both to the descriptive term "warty."

The answer "ROD" relates to the human eye. Cones and rods are photoreceptor cells in the retina. Cones detect color and function in bright light, while rods detect light intensity and work better in dim light. Since the clue asks for a "partner" to cone, the solution is "ROD."

The clue "It often comes out at night" is a play on words. DENTURES, or false teeth, are often removed by wearers before going to sleep, "coming out" at night. It’s a pun combining a literal and figurative idea for the solution.

The answer is HID because "was out of sight" describes someone or something being concealed or not visible. "Hid" is the past tense of "hide," which directly means to make oneself or something unseen, matching the clue's phrasing.

FOUR SQUARE hints that you should look at square number 4 in the grid (4-Down, spot markers = Xes). There you’ll find the letter X, the second letter of the word EXIT. This clue cleverly uses the game name to direct solvers spatially within the puzzle, turning a location into a letter.

RODEO DRIVE is a world-renowned street in Beverly Hills, famous for its luxury shopping, high-end boutiques, and glitzy aura. As the heart of Beverly Hills' glamorous culture, it is iconic, making it the perfect answer to the clue "Famed street in Beverly Hills."

The phrase "Lose heart" directly means to become discouraged or feel a loss of hope. "Heart" symbolizes courage or determination, so to "lose heart" is to lose those qualities, aligning perfectly with the clue "Become discouraged."

The clue "One taking the words right out of your mouth?" uses wordplay. A LIPREADER "takes" (understands) words by observing someone's lips move without hearing them, figuratively "taking the words" directly from their mouth. The pun lies in interpreting "taking" literally through lipreading.

The answer "APED" fits the clue "Mimicked" because "aped" means to imitate or copy someone’s actions, behavior, or mannerisms closely, often in an exaggerated or mocking way. It directly matches the definition provided by the clue without additional wordplay or twists.

The clue "Odd pair?" with a question mark signals wordplay. The answer "DEES" refers to the letter "D," which appears twice (a pair) in the word "Odd." This creates a playful pun based on the phrase "Odd pair," cleverly highlighting the double Ds.

The answer "LEAN" fits the clue "Low-fat" because lean is a term commonly used to describe meats or foods with minimal fat content. It directly refers to a reduced-fat characteristic, making it a concise and accurate solution to the clue.

The answer "POTS" works because florists often sell flowers and plants arranged in decorative pots. While flowers are frequently placed in vases, potted plants are also common items purchased from florists. The clue plays on this connection between florists and potted arrangements.