Akkadian or Phoenician - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Makes good" refers to making amends for a wrongdoing, which aligns with the meaning of "ATONES." To atone is to compensate or make reparations for a mistake or sin, effectively "making good" on a moral or ethical lapse.

The clue likely involves consuming or taking in something (like food, drink, or information). "INGEST" means to take substances into the body, primarily by eating or drinking, fitting perfectly as a response to such a definition-oriented clue. It matches both the tone and meaning.

The answer is STEFANO because Joseph Stefano was the screenwriter for Alfred Hitchcock's iconic 1960 film Psycho. He adapted the screenplay from Robert Bloch's novel and is credited for shaping its enduring suspense and psychological depth, solidifying his association with the movie.

The clue "Uncertain" directly aligns with the answer "NOTSURE," as it is a common phrase used to express doubt or lack of confidence. It matches the meaning of being unsure or indecisive, making it a straightforward solution for the clue.

The clue "Well, tough!" is in quotes, indicating it’s a spoken phrase. "THAT’S JUST TOO BAD" matches the tone and meaning of the clue, expressing a dismissive or unsympathetic reaction, akin to saying "tough luck" or "oh well." It fits perfectly as an informal response.

The clue "Hi-___" refers to something commonly associated with the prefix "Hi-." In this case, it completes "Hi-Res," short for "High-Resolution," which is a common term used to describe clear and detailed images or videos. It's a simple abbreviation recognition clue.

The clue "Humdingers" refers to something extraordinary or remarkable. "CORKERS" is a term used to describe astonishing or strikingly good things. It fits as a playful or slightly old-fashioned synonym for impressive events, ideas, or stories—essentially, "humdingers."

"SIG" is short for Sigma, which is commonly used in the names of fraternities (e.g., Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon). "Certain fraternity guy, informally" clues the nickname "SIG" used to refer to someone in these fraternities.

The clue references a song (“number”) from the musical Les Misérables. "One Day More" is a famous ensemble song from the show, and its title contains a number ("One"). This aligns perfectly with the clue, confirming ONEDAYMORE as the answer.

The answer is LUTE because it is a stringed musical instrument characterized by its deep, rounded back, which helps produce its distinctive sound. This design dates back to the Renaissance and Baroque eras, making the lute a fitting match for the clue description.

The answer "PARER" fits the clue "Cutting tool" because a parer is a small knife designed for cutting or peeling fruits and vegetables. Its precise blade makes it ideal for trimming or paring away outer layers, making it a common kitchen cutting tool.

This clue might get a chuckle — or a raised eyebrow. “My Old Ass” is a real 2024 indie coming-of-age film that made waves at Sundance. The title is deliberately jarring but memorable, playing on both literal aging and a humorous tone.

The clue "Staff notes" uses wordplay. "Staff" can refer to workplace staff, and "notes" hints at written communication. Together, it points to MEMOS, which are internal written messages or notes often shared among staff in an organization.

The answer FRESH fits the clue "Recent, as a memory" because "fresh" describes something new, vivid, or recently experienced—like a memory still clear and untainted by time. It directly aligns with the notion of "recent," emphasizing immediacy or recency in recall.

A LUGER is an athlete who competes in the winter sport of luge, an event where individuals or pairs race down an icy track on a small sled at high speeds. The clue refers to such an athlete specializing in this winter-specific sport.

The solution is DEATH because David Lloyd George, a former British Prime Minister, humorously referred to death as the ideal time to tax the wealthy, likely alluding to estate taxes. Upon death, assets are often taxed through inheritance or death duties, making it a "convenient" time to impose taxes.

The clue "Verbal flourishes" hints at expressive vocal actions. "TADAS" represents the common celebratory exclamation often used to draw attention or signify an impressive reveal, mimicking a verbal "flourish." It conveys triumph or flair, fitting the clue's playful tone.

The word "SINCE" effectively describes the passage or connection of time "Between then and now." It is used to indicate a starting point in the past leading up to the present, perfectly aligning with the clue's phrasing.

The clue "Shepherd's warning" hints at a pun rather than a literal interpretation. A shepherd's dog might issue a warning growl to protect the flock or ward off threats. The answer, GROWL, represents this nonverbal warning sound made by a shepherd's companion.

The answer "JESSE" refers to Jesse Owens, a legendary American track and field athlete. Owens famously won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, becoming an icon for both his athletic achievements and his defiance of Nazi racial ideology. Hence, "Olympian Owens" points to JESSE.

The clue "Receiving end?" with a question mark signals wordplay. "GEE" is an exclamation often associated with surprise or acknowledgment, like when "receiving" unexpected news or information. It's a playful pun on the idea of reacting with "Gee!" in response to something received.

The clue "Works one's way up" refers to moving upward or advancing, which aligns perfectly with "RISES." To "rise" can mean progressing or elevating in position, status, or physically climbing—matching the idea of working upward. The phrasing directly connects to the definition.

The clue "Place to put a pin" refers to an AXLE because an axle often has a pin securing it in place, such as in machinery or wheels. The "pin" here relates to the securing mechanism, making AXLE a fitting solution as it involves this mechanical function.

The clue "Explicit subject for her?" plays on grammar. An antecedent is the noun or pronoun that a pronoun (like "her") refers back to explicitly. For example, in "Mary loves her dog," "Mary" is the antecedent of "her." The wordplay here, signaled by the question mark, lies in connecting grammar terminology to the clue.

The answer is ITO because Midori Ito is a famous Japanese figure skater. She was the first woman to land a triple Axel in competition and is a prominent figure in skating history, earning her a place in crossword clues related to figure skating.

The word "Concocts" means to devise, invent, or create something, often by combining various elements. "CREATES" directly aligns with this definition, as it refers to inventing or making something. Both imply the act of producing something new, making "CREATES" a fitting solution for the clue.

The answer "MAA" represents the bleating sound made by goats or sheep, common animals on a farm. The clue "Farm cry" signals a nonverbal sound typical of farm life, making "MAA" an apt fit for this description.

The phrase "LAYING IT ON THICK" is an idiom meaning to excessively praise or exaggerate compliments, which aligns perfectly with "Going overboard with the praise." The clue describes going too far in admiration, and the answer captures that concept both literally and figuratively.

The clue "We don't need to know all the details" is phrased as a spoken expression and suggests a request to skip unnecessary information. The answer, SPAREUS, fits this interpretation as it conveys “spare us the details,” aligning with the idea of avoiding excessive elaboration.

The clue "Mixing board" uses wordplay. A palette is a flat surface or board used by artists to mix paints. This ties directly to the idea of "mixing" colors, making PALETTE a clever and fitting answer. It's a metaphorical interpretation of the clue.

The clue "Lifts up" relates to the emotional sense of uplifting someone. "Elates" means to fill with joy or happiness, effectively "lifting up" someone's spirits, making it a perfect match for this clue. It's not physical lifting, but emotional elevation.

Theater classes often involve practicing and performing SCENES—specific segments of a play or script. These are common assignments where students focus on acting, dialogue, and stage presence. The clue suggests this straightforward connection, as scenes are the fundamental units for teaching and learning acting skills.