Rabbit food? - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Really, now!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. AWCMON is a phonetic rendering of "Aw, come on!", an exclamation expressing disbelief, frustration, or impatience—matching the tone and intent of the clue perfectly.

The solution "CAROLE" refers to Carole Lombard, a famous Hollywood actress from the 1930s and 1940s. She was known for her roles in screwball comedies such as My Man Godfrey and To Be or Not to Be and is considered an icon of classic Hollywood cinema.

The clue "Above the ___, as high as heaven itself?": Shak., references a Shakespearean phrase and uses wordplay. "Above the clouds" suggests being physically or metaphorically high, and "heaven itself" further implies great heights. Thus, CLOUDS is the correct answer, fitting both the phrase and poetic imagery.

The clue "Ejects" directly corresponds to the verb "ousts," which means to forcibly remove or expel someone from a position or place. Both terms share the idea of removal, making "ousts" a precise synonym and the correct solution.

The SITH are the primary villainous group in the "Star Wars" science fiction franchise. They are dark Force users who oppose the Jedi, known for their quest for power and control. This matches the clue "Villainous group of science fiction," pointing directly to the SITH.

The answer "TGI" refers to the phrase "TGI Fridays," which stands for "Thank Goodness It's Fridays." This is a popular casual dining restaurant chain in the U.S. and elsewhere. The clue plays on this well-known shorthand for celebrating the end of the workweek and the restaurant's name.

The answer "ABHOR" fits the clue "Can't stand" because both imply intense dislike or hatred. To "abhor" something means to detest or loathe it, which aligns perfectly with the idea of not being able to stand it. The clue is a straightforward synonym match.

The clue "Dis" refers to an insult or criticism, as "dis" is slang for disrespect. The answer, SLAM, also means a harsh criticism or rebuke, making it a fitting synonym for "dis" in this context. Both share the connotation of verbal attack.

The quote from Martha Graham, a renowned dancer and choreographer, suggests a philosophical stance: mediocrity is unacceptable, equating it metaphorically to a "SIN." Here, "SIN" implies a moral or significant wrongdoing, emphasizing the importance of striving for excellence in art and life.

The solution is EGGWHITE because meringue cookies are made by whipping egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form. Egg whites provide the structure and airy texture essential for meringues, making them a key ingredient. This aligns directly with the clue's reference to meringue cookies.

The answer is THE WIRE because it is critically acclaimed as one of the greatest TV series of the 21st century, topping many such lists, including BBC's. Known for its intricate storytelling, social commentary, and richly developed characters, it epitomizes exceptional television craftsmanship.

The clue "Comics" refers to the format in which comic stories are often presented in newspapers—comic STRIPS. These are sequential panels that collectively tell a story or deliver humor, fitting perfectly with the clue.

The clue is in quotes, indicating a spoken phrase. "This work is getting to be too much" expresses exhaustion or overwhelm, and the natural response to such a feeling is "I need a break." The answer, INEEDABREAK, matches this sentiment exactly, capturing the context of stress and the urge to pause.

The clue "Apple skins?" uses a pun, playing on multiple meanings of "skins." It refers to protective covers ("skins") for Apple devices. iPhones, a product from Apple, often use cases for protection. Thus, "IPHONECASES" cleverly answers "Apple skins?" by combining the brand and the concept of protective coverings.

The clue "Buildings that aren't water-resistant?" is a playful pun. SANDCASTLES are structures made of sand, commonly built at the beach. Since sand disintegrates when exposed to water, these "buildings" are far from water-resistant, fitting the humorous wordplay in the clue.

The answer "BETTE" refers to "La Cousine Bette," a novel by French author Honoré de Balzac. It is part of his series La Comédie Humaine. The clue includes French ("La Cousine"), signaling the answer relates to the original title in French.

The clue "Overly wise, say" uses wordplay, as "overly wise" hints at someone behaving in a bold, cheeky, or impudent manner. "SASSY" describes someone who speaks or acts with boldness and cheekiness, often in a way that could be perceived as acting overly clever or overly "wise."

The clue "Feels thirsty" uses figurative language. Beyond literal thirst, "thirsty" can mean intense desire or craving. "LUSTS" aligns with this metaphorical usage, representing strong yearning or longing, often for something unattainable—capturing the essence of "feeling thirsty" in a deeper, emotional sense.

The clue "Gives accolades" directly refers to praising or expressing admiration, which is synonymous with the verb "lauds." "Lauds" is a term often used to mean giving praise or commendation, perfectly fitting the clue's straightforward definition.

The term "Edges" refers to the pointed ends or boundaries of an object. "CUSPS" fits as the solution because it describes sharp points or transitions, such as the edges of shapes, peaks, or even figurative turning points. This directly aligns with the meaning of "edges."

The clue "You can see right through them" refers to something transparent. "Panes" are sections of glass found in windows, which are see-through, making this the perfect solution. The plural "them" matches "panes," as windows typically have multiple glass sections.

The answer is JAMAISVU, a French term meaning "never seen." It's the opposite of déjà vu and refers to experiencing something familiar as if it’s completely new or unknown—a fitting match for the clue describing this phenomenon.

The word "EARMARK" means to set aside or designate something, typically funds, for a specific purpose. In the clue, "Designate, as funds," it directly refers to this act of allocating money for a particular use, making "EARMARK" the fitting solution.

The clue "Series of mental blocks?" is a playful hint. TETRIS is a game involving a "series" of falling geometric "blocks" that the player mentally rotates and fits together. The question mark signals wordplay, with "mental blocks" cleverly referencing both thinking and the blocks in TETRIS.

COSTCO is the correct answer because it is a major wholesale retail chain known for its warehouse-style stores, and its first store was indeed opened in Seattle in 1983. The clue's reference to “retail giant” and the specific year/location aligns perfectly with COSTCO's history.

The answer UPSELL fits because it refers to a sales technique where a customer is persuaded to purchase a more expensive item or add-ons, resulting in spending more than initially planned. The clue’s wording directly aligns with this sales strategy.

The solution "DEERES" refers to John Deere, a well-known brand of farm equipment. The plural form "DEERES" represents multiple vehicles or equipment manufactured by this brand, which are popular on farms, such as tractors and harvesters.

The clue "Falls short, say" refers to not meeting a goal or expectation, which aligns with "loses." To "fall short" can describe being defeated or failing to achieve success — both tied to the idea of losing. The "say" hints at a synonymous interpretation.

The clue "Lead-in to active" hints at forming a compound word. Adding "RETRO" before "active" creates the word "retroactive," which means applying or referring to something in the past. This wordplay makes RETRO the correct answer.

The clue "American in Paris?" includes a question mark, signaling a pun or wordplay. "Yank" is a colloquial term for an American, often used abroad. The pun here lies in "Yank" also meaning "pull" (as in "yank" in French). Thus, YANK fits this playful clue.

The clue "Certain earring" straightforwardly points to HOOP, a common style of earring characterized by its circular, hoop-like shape. The word "certain" specifies that it's a particular type of earring, making HOOP the fitting answer.

The answer "TIL" is a poetic contraction of the word "until," commonly used in poetry to fit meter or rhyme. Poets often shorten words by omitting letters, a style reflected here in "til" (without the apostrophe in crosswords).

APS is short for Advanced Placement courses, which are college-level classes offered in high school. These courses are often taken by honor students aiming to earn college credit or boost their academic profiles, making APS a fitting answer for the clue.