Denizens of the Great Victoria Desert - NYT The Crossword Clue

The correct answer is BABA, referring to "baba au rhum," a small yeast cake soaked in rum syrup. This dessert originated in France and is well-known for its signature preparation with rum, making it the perfect solution to the clue "Rum-soaked cake."

The answer "EVES" refers to the evenings before significant events, like Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, which are times people often look forward to with excitement and anticipation. The plural form fits the clue's indication of "times" rather than a singular instance.

The answer "BOLT" works because it means to move or leave suddenly and quickly, aligning directly with the clue "Leave quickly." This definition emphasizes speed and urgency, making it a perfect fit for the clue.

The word "ECLIPSE" fits the clue "Overshadow" because, literally, an eclipse occurs when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another, blocking its light and overshadowing it. Figuratively, "eclipse" also means to surpass or outshine, synonymous with overshadowing someone or something in prominence.

The clue suggests a button near a "suggested contact," referring to digital interfaces like social media or email platforms. "ADD" describes the action of adding that suggested contact to your list, explaining its presence as a button for this purpose. Here, 'maybe' implies wordplay.

The clue "Quarters" is a wordplay hint. "Quarters" can refer to places where people reside or stay, such as living quarters. This aligns with the answer "ROOM," which is a single unit of living or working space, fitting the context of the clue’s intended pun.

The answer is CONE because traffic cones are commonly used to indicate construction zones or roadwork ahead. They serve as a visual cue to alert drivers and pedestrians to proceed with caution in those areas, making "CONE" a fitting solution for the clue.

The answer is HINDU because Rishi Sunak is the first British Prime Minister of Indian descent and practices Hinduism. This clue highlights a historical "first" tied to his religion, making him the first Hindu to hold this significant position in the UK.

The clue "Play the fool" suggests engaging in foolish or intentionally silly behavior. The answer, ACTDUMB, captures this as it means pretending to lack intelligence or behaving foolishly, aligning with the idea of "playing" (pretending) to be a fool. The wordplay perfectly fits the clue's intent.

The clue "Smarts" refers to intelligence or mental capacity. The term "brainpower" directly relates to intellectual ability and cognitive strength, making it synonymous with "smarts." It encapsulates the idea of mental sharpness and problem-solving skills, perfectly aligning with the clue's meaning.

The clue "They separate hands and handlebars" refers to something that physically comes between the rider's hands and a bike's handlebars. The answer, BIKEGLOVES, fits perfectly as they are worn on hands to create a barrier, providing grip, comfort, and protection while cycling.

The clue "Give some immoral support, perhaps?" uses wordplay. "Immoral support" suggests aiding in wrongdoing, and "perhaps" indicates flexibility in interpretation. ABET means to assist or encourage, especially in wrongdoing or criminal acts, fitting the idea of "immoral support."

The clue "This is sooo frustrating!" uses quotation marks, signaling an expressive, spoken reaction. "AARGH" is a common exclamation of frustration or annoyance, perfectly matching the tone and emotion conveyed in the clue. Its phonetic spelling reflects a verbal outburst, fitting the clue's intention.

The answer "LAIN" is the past participle of "lie," which means to recline or be in a flat, resting position. "Sprawled out" suggests being stretched out or reclined, aligning with "lain" as the grammatical form for having been in that position.

The clue "Same here!" in quotes signals a conversational phrase. The answer, ASAMI, phonetically represents "As am I," which is a natural way to express agreement or similarity in conversation. Hence, ASAMI cleverly fulfills the wordplay and context of the clue.

The clue "Street racer, usually?" suggests wordplay. While "street racers" may evoke speedy sports cars, the pun here flips expectations—SEDANs, typically practical and ordinary cars, are actually common vehicles seen speeding on streets, making this a playful twist on the phrase.

"BALANCEDUE" is the solution because a "Billing line" refers to the amount owed listed on an invoice or bill. This phrase directly describes the specific charge or total amount the recipient is required to pay. It fits the straightforward financial terminology in the clue.

The clue "Well, as it happens …" is conversational, suggesting a spoken phrase. The answer, "UM, ACTUALLY," mimics a hesitant or corrective tone often used in speech when interjecting or clarifying something. The "UM" represents hesitation, followed by "ACTUALLY" to introduce the correction or explanation.

The term "LOCI" refers to specific positions or locations on chromosomes where genes or mutations are found. In genetics, "locus" (singular) denotes a gene's physical site, and "loci" is the plural form. Mutations occur at these loci, making "loci" the proper answer.

The word "Flummox" means to confuse or baffle someone. Similarly, to "STUMP" someone means to perplex or leave them unable to find an answer, such as stumping someone with a challenging question. Thus, "STUMP" effectively matches the clue's definition.

The emoji ":O" represents a wide-open mouth, often indicating surprise or awe. "Go like" hints at mimicking this expression. The verb "GAPE" means to stare with your mouth wide open, perfectly matching the emoji's depiction and the clue's intent.

The answer "CZAR" refers to a high-ranking official appointed to oversee a specific government policy or initiative. The term originates from Russian emperors but is now metaphorically used to describe someone with significant authority or responsibility in modern governmental contexts, fitting the “bigwig” description in the clue.

The answer "OZLEM" is correct because Özlem Türeci is a prominent physician and scientist who co-founded BioNTech, the biotechnology company known for developing a leading COVID-19 vaccine. The clue references her name directly, requiring knowledge of her role in science and the pharmaceutical industry.

The answer "JARTS" refers to "lawn darts," a classic outdoor game. The name is a portmanteau, combining "javelin" (dart-like shape) and "darts." Players throw weighted darts towards a target on the lawn. The puzzle utilizes wordplay related to these recreational lawn activities.

The clue "Germs of ideas" uses "germs" metaphorically to mean the seeds or beginnings of ideas. "KERNELS" refers to the small, central parts of something, much like seeds or the core of a thought. Thus, "kernels" aligns perfectly as the foundational elements of ideas.

The clue "Possible topic for a couples therapist" hints at areas often discussed in therapy to improve relationships. A couple's "SEXLIFE" can be a significant aspect of their relationship dynamics, making it a frequent topic in such sessions. The answer fits the context perfectly.

The quote by Mark Twain emphasizes the importance of starting with facts before manipulating or interpreting them. The missing word completes the sentence logically, as "facts" are the foundation for presenting or distorting truth. Twain’s humor underlines how facts must precede any alterations or storytelling.

The clue "Pop flies?" with a question mark signals wordplay. Here, "Pop" hints at hitting or swatting, and "flies" refers to insects. Together, "Pop flies?" plays on the idea of swatting flies, leading to the answer SWAT.

The clue "Acceptances" directly refers to affirmative responses or agreements. The plural form "acceptances" suggests a plural answer, which aligns with "YESES," the plural of "yes." In this context, YESES represent multiple confirmations or approvals, making it the appropriate solution.

The answer is MILK because the word can metaphorically mean to exploit or take advantage of something continuously or over time, as one "milks" a resource or situation for its benefit, much like extracting milk repeatedly from a cow. This ties to the idea of prolonged exploitation.

LIME is an essential ingredient in guacamole, commonly added for its tangy citrus flavor that balances the richness of avocados. The clue "Common guacamole ingredient" points to a widely recognized component, and lime juice is a staple in traditional guacamole recipes.

The answer "LAPS" works because it refers to the act of going around a track or course repetitively, as in running or swimming laps. The phrase "in a way" in the clue signals a more specific interpretation, hinting at this circular motion.

The answer is AGAR because it is a plant-based alternative to gelatin, often derived from red algae. Unlike gelatin, which is animal-based, agar is vegan and commonly used as a gelling agent in cooking, especially for desserts, making it a perfect fit for the clue.

The answer is SETI because the SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) is renowned for its scientific work, including housing the Carl Sagan Center, which focuses on astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth. Carl Sagan’s legacy aligns with SETI’s mission, making it the fitting solution.

The clue "Avenue for early learning, in brief" points to PREK, short for "pre-kindergarten." Pre-K is a common term for early childhood education programs for kids before they start kindergarten, making it an early learning "avenue." The "in brief" signals an abbreviation.

The answer "NTH" refers to an unspecified, often variable, position or term in a sequence, such as "the Nth term." It represents an indeterminate position in mathematics or sequences, where "n" can stand for any number. This aligns perfectly with the clue's phrasing.