NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The phrase "Be up" can refer to being "up to bat" in baseball, meaning it's your turn to hit. "Bat" cleverly fits as the answer, aligning with this usage of the phrase in a sports context.

In the film "Arrival," mysterious alien spacecraft land on Earth, which are commonly referred to as UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects). The clue's phrasing points directly to the arrival of these UFOs, making it the fitting answer.

The answer "MAP" fits the clue because many modern cars have navigation systems integrated into their dashboards. These systems display digital maps on the screen to guide drivers. The "Dash" in the clue refers to the car's dashboard, and a "MAP" is a common display feature in such systems.

The clue "Tax ___" refers to someone involved in the process of preparing taxes. A "Tax PREPARER" is a professional or individual who assists in completing and filing tax returns, which fits perfectly as the solution. The blank is completed with the role, "PREPARER."

AGRA is the correct answer because it is a city in India, located relatively close to Delhi, and is a major tourist destination. It is renowned for being home to the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous monuments in the world.

This is a wordplay clue. “Nighttime sound” sounds like it’s asking about something you hear at night, but it’s actually referring to pronunciation. The word “nighttime” contains the long “I” sound, which is the answer. It’s a phonetic pun in disguise.

The answer ODEUM refers to an ancient Greek or Roman theater or performance space, often used for music, poetry, or speeches. The word stems from the Greek "ōideion," meaning a building for performances, fitting the clue "Classical performance space." It directly ties to classical antiquity.

UNREP stands for United Nations Representative. In NYC, United Nations diplomats often have special diplomatic license plates. The clue refers to someone in this role, tying "diplomatic plates" literally to UN reps stationed at the U.N. headquarters in New York City.

The clue is in Spanish, so the answer will also be in Spanish. "Mesa para ___" translates to "Table for ___." At a restaurant, this is a common request when specifying the number of people. "Dos" means "two" in Spanish, making "Mesa para dos" a typical request for a table for two.

The answer is ALPACA because alpacas are animals known for their soft, luxurious fleece, which is a popular source of wool. This clue directly refers to an animal that provides a type of wool, making ALPACA the correct solution.

The clue "Futures experts?" includes a pun marked by the question mark. "Futures" plays on foretelling the future, not financial trading. SOOTHSAYERS are people who predict or foresee the future, making them "experts" on it. The playful wordplay aligns perfectly with this definition.

The word "TARTEST" is the superlative form of "tart," meaning sour or acidic in taste. Something that's the "most pucker-inducing" would have the strongest sourness, causing lips to pucker. Thus, TARTEST perfectly describes the most sour or tangy option, fitting the clue.

The clue "Gimme!" is in quotes, indicating the answer is a spoken phrase. "Gimme!" expresses a demand or strong desire for something. The phrase "I NEED IT" matches this tone perfectly, as it conveys an urgent request or demand, fitting the sense of "Gimme!".

"Culture vulture" describes someone deeply interested in cultural activities like music, painting, theater, or literature. These are all forms of the ARTS, making it the perfect answer. The clue plays on the idea of what this type of person "concerns" themselves with—cultural and artistic pursuits.

Lagos is the solution because it is Nigeria's largest city and a major financial hub in West Africa. Known for its bustling economy, Lagos houses banks, multinational corporations, and the Nigerian Stock Exchange, playing a pivotal role in the region's financial activities.

The answer is HAY because "hay fever" is a common term for seasonal allergies caused by pollen, even though it’s not a true fever. The clue hints at the term "hay fever," linking it to pollen and wordplay around "fever" not being literal.

The answer is AVA because the clue refers to Ava DuVernay, a renowned film director known for works like Selma and When They See Us. The clue directly points to her last name, making AVA the correct and straightforward solution.

The phrase "It's needed to stay calm" points to maintaining control under pressure. SELFCOMMAND perfectly fits as it refers to the ability to control one's emotions, thoughts, and actions, which is essential to remain calm in tense situations. This aligns directly with the clue.

The phrase "Rankles no end" means deeply irritates or annoys someone continuously. "EATS AT" is a figurative expression that conveys the same idea of something bothering or gnawing at a person persistently. Dropping the space, we get the crossword answer EATSAT.

An "epilog" is a concluding section or postscript in a piece of prose, often used to provide closure or final commentary. The clue "Prose postscript" directly describes this literary element, making EPILOG the precise and fitting solution.

The answer is UTA because Uta Hagen was a renowned actress, theater practitioner, and acting teacher, who won two Tony Awards for her stage performances. Her notable contributions to the theater world make her a frequent clue in crosswords.

The clue "Trains for the Chicago White Sox?" is a pun. The Chicago "L" (short for elevated train) is a public transit system in Chicago. The White Sox play in Chicago, linking the "ELS" (plural of 'L') with "trains". The question mark indicates this playful wordplay.

The answer is REM, which refers to both the famous rock band R.E.M. and the "dreamily" aspect in the clue. REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) is a sleep phase associated with vivid dreaming, creating a pun and wordplay linking the band's name to dreaming.

This clue points to the University of Pennsylvania (commonly called Penn or UPenn), another Ivy League school. It’s clued as a rival of YALE, which appears at 30-Across. The mutual reference helps confirm both answers, using the schools’ shared prestige and history to reinforce the solve.

The answer is LEGARMOR because jousters wear armor to protect themselves during tournaments. Specifically, "leg armor" protects the lower body, particularly the legs, which are vulnerable while seated on horseback during jousting. This solution directly matches the clue's description of the protective gear for jousters.

The phrase "Thinks nothing of" suggests disregarding or not making note of something. FORGETS aligns with this meaning, as to forget is to fail to remember or give importance to something, effectively thinking "nothing" of it. The answer captures this dismissive concept perfectly.

CROATIA is the solution because many iconic "Game of Thrones" scenes were filmed there, particularly in Dubrovnik, which served as the primary location for King’s Landing. This European country’s historic architecture and coastal landscapes made it a perfect fit for the show’s fantasy setting.

The answer "LIT" works for "On fire" because it can mean something is literally burning or be used figuratively to describe something exciting, energized, or "amazing" in informal language. This dual meaning fits the clue's simplicity and versatility.

The clue refers to the direction from Seattle to Mount Rainier. Geographically, Mount Rainier is located southeast of Seattle, with the specific direction being slightly south-southeast (SSE). SSE represents "south-southeast," making it the correct answer for this directional clue.

The phrase "On its way, in a way" suggests something en route or being sent. "Mailed" fits as it refers to something sent through the postal service, literally on its way to its destination. The "in a way" hints at this interpretation of being metaphorically "on its way."

The answer is ICEE because it's a popular slushy drink often sold in vivid colors, including blue raspberry. Consuming an ICEE, especially the blue flavor, can turn your tongue blue due to the food coloring used. The clue’s playful tone hints at this fun, noticeable effect.

OGRES are classic fiends from folklore, often depicted as monstrous, human-eating giants in fairy tales and myths. The clue "Fiends of folklore" refers to these legendary creatures known for their villainous roles, aligning perfectly with the answer.

The word "DROSS" refers to impurities or waste material separated from molten metal, often considered the useless or undesirable leftovers. In a broader sense, it describes anything worthless or trivial, perfectly aligning with the clue "Useless leftovers." Thus, "DROSS" is the correct answer.

SABLE is the solution because it refers to the luxurious, dark fur of the sable, a species of marten native to Russia and highly prized by Russian royalty for its softness and rarity. Historically, sable fur symbolized wealth and status, making it a favorite among aristocracy.

The answer "VLAD" refers to Vladimir Guerrero, a Baseball Hall of Famer renowned for his outstanding career. Fans often call him "Vlad" as a shortened form of his first name. This clue relies on the nickname widely recognized by baseball enthusiasts.

PTA stands for Parent-Teacher Association, a school-based organization that supports educational initiatives. PTAs often organize events like read-a-thons to encourage student engagement and raise funds. The clue specifies an organization ("Org.") and uses "in brief," indicating the abbreviation of PTA fits perfectly.

OPI is a popular and well-known nail care brand, offering a wide range of nail polishes and products often used in manicures and pedicures ("mani-pedi"). Its prominence in the beauty industry makes it a fitting and logical answer to this clue.

In the U.K., Nan is a common and affectionate term for a grandmother, similar to "Grammy" in the U.S. The clue is a playful, cultural comparison between these terms. Hence, "Nan" fits perfectly as the answer.

The answer is ELK because both Michigan and Idaho's state flags feature imagery of an elk. On Michigan's flag, an elk (alongside a moose) supports the state coat of arms, while Idaho's flag includes the state seal, which depicts elk prominently as part of its wildlife symbols.