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NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

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Across

  • The clue "Train unit" refers to a single part or section of a train. A train is made up of multiple connected "cars," such as passenger cars, freight cars, or dining cars. Therefore, "CAR" is the correct answer, representing a basic unit of a train.

  • The answer "TBAR" refers to a type of ski lift used on hills or slopes. A T-bar lift has a T-shaped bar that skiers hold onto or rest against to be pulled uphill, making it a literal means of ascending a hill.

  • The word "ERECTS" directly means to build or construct something, such as a structure or an object. In a straightforward clue like "Builds," the answer aligns perfectly as it describes the action of creating or assembling something upright or solid.

  • The clue "Tap it" refers to a common association with kegs or beer taps. "Ale" is a type of beer that is often served from a keg, and the act of "tapping" refers to inserting a tap to serve the beverage. Hence, the answer is "ALE."

  • The answer "ELLE" refers to Elle Woods, the main character played by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Legally Blonde. Elle is a fashionable, determined law student who defies stereotypes and proves her intelligence while staying true to herself, making "ELLE" a direct and accurate solution.

  • NARNIA is the fictional land created by C.S. Lewis in The Chronicles of Narnia series. It is known for its magical elements and talking animals, such as Aslan the lion. This direct connection makes NARNIA the perfect fit for the clue.

  • The answer is BABERUTH because Babe Ruth is one of baseball's most iconic players, known for his remarkable home run record. The quote reflects his power-hitting style, emphasizing home runs over "dinky singles," a style consistent with Ruth's legendary career and personality.

  • The clue, "Playground retort," suggests a common verbal comeback among kids. "I CAN SO" fits as it mirrors the structure of playful arguments, often revolving around "I can!" versus "No, you can't!" exchanges. The answer is conversational, befitting a phrase heard on a playground.

  • The clue "Untouchable" is metaphorical. Someone "untouchable" is protected or unaffected, which matches the definition of "IMMUNE." Being immune means being resistant or impervious, often to harm, illness, or influence, aligning perfectly with the clue's intended meaning.

  • In hockey or soccer, a goalie’s stat measures their performance in stopping shots on goal. "SAVES" refers to the goalkeeper successfully preventing the ball or puck from entering the net, a key metric of their effectiveness. This makes it the fitting answer for "Goalie’s stat."

  • The answer is NOIR because "Sunset Boulevard" is a classic film exemplifying the noir genre: dark, moody, and focused on crime, moral ambiguity, and psychological tension. Noir typically features cynical characters and shadowy visuals, all of which are central to this film's storytelling.

  • In audio connectors, a "male" connector is the plug with protruding pins or prongs that inserts into a "female" connector. The designation describes the physical form, where "male" connects to "female" for functionality, often used for cables or jacks in audio systems.

  • The clue "Inch (toward)" suggests a gradual or careful movement in a particular direction. "Edge" works as the answer because it means to move slowly or cautiously toward something, aligning perfectly with the phrasing of the clue.

  • The phrase "Had the reins" metaphorically refers to being in charge or in control, much like a leader directing a team. "LED" is the past tense of "lead," which aligns with the clue, describing someone who was in control or leadership in the past.

  • The clue "Give and take" directly describes an exchange or trade, which is captured by the word "SWAP." Both "give" (offering something) and "take" (receiving something) occur in a SWAP, making it an accurate and concise solution.

  • The answer is DOOR because it pairs with "stop" as in "doorstop," an object that holds a door in place, and with "prize" as in "door prize," a giveaway or reward at an event. The clue hints at compound words commonly using "door."

  • "BACKING" fits the clue "Financial support" as it refers to providing support, funding, or resources, especially in a financial sense. The term is often used when someone backs a project, idea, or individual, meaning they fund or endorse it, aligning directly with the clue's context.

  • The answer "SAG" works because it directly relates to the idea of losing firmness. To sag means to droop, sink, or slump due to a lack of tension, support, or strength—perfectly fitting the clue's straightforward definition of losing firmness.

  • The answer is EMO because it refers to a subgenre of punk rock music that emerged in the 1980s, emphasizing emotional expression in its lyrics and style. It’s both a music genre and a subculture known for distinctive fashion, introspective themes, and a connection to punk roots, fitting "Punk subculture."

  • The clue asks for a "World capital in central Anatolia." Ankara is the capital city of Turkey, situated in the region of central Anatolia. As Turkey's second-largest city, it is notably the political and administrative center of the country, making ANKARA the correct answer.

  • The clue "Woke" can mean to awaken or to be stirred into action or awareness. "ROUSED" perfectly fits this as it refers to being awakened from sleep or being stirred emotionally or mentally, aligning with the meaning of "Woke." No puns or special indicators apply here.

  • The clue "That little thing you do?" with a question mark indicates wordplay. TIC refers to an involuntary, small, repetitive physical action or habit, often subtle or "little." It’s a clever play on how a "tic" can be a minor, unconscious habit someone might have.

  • The clue "Inits. for cinephiles" refers to initials related to film enthusiasts. TMC stands for Turner Classic Movies, a popular channel known for its extensive collection of classic films, making it a well-known reference among cinephiles. Thus, TMC fits perfectly as the solution.

  • The answer "AGONIZE" fits the clue "Struggle to decide" because to agonize means to undergo mental anguish or struggle when faced with a difficult decision. It captures the emotional turmoil and indecision described by the clue.

  • The clue "___ a roll!" is a common phrase, typically completed as "I'm on a roll!" indicating success or momentum in a task. The answer "IMON" completes the phrase, forming "I'm on a roll!"—a spoken expression signaled by the quotation marks in the clue.

  • In spreadsheets, data is organized into "rows" and columns, which are basic units of structure. The clue "Spreadsheet units" directly refers to these organizational components, making "ROWS" an accurate and straightforward answer here.

  • The solution "FIT" works for the clue "In good shape" because the word "fit" describes being physically healthy, strong, or in excellent condition. It's a synonym for being in proper form or condition, aligning perfectly with the phrase "in good shape."

  • KARO is the solution because it is a well-known brand of corn syrup in the U.S., used widely in cooking and baking. The clue directly asks for a "Corn syrup brand," and KARO has been a staple product in this category since the early 1900s, making it a clear answer.

  • ENOS is a book in the Book of Mormon, named after a prophet who is the son of Jacob. The Book of Enos outlines his prayer, repentance, and revelations. This clue directly references the scriptures, making ENOS the correct answer.

  • The clue "Plant watcher, for short" uses wordplay: "plant" refers to a workplace like a factory, not a botanical plant. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a U.S. agency that oversees workplace safety, effectively "watching" for hazards in such environments. The clue's "for short" indicates an abbreviation.

  • The phrase "tided over" means to help someone temporarily get through a difficult time or situation, much like how the tide carries something along. Here, "Helped temporarily" directly connects to this phrase, with "over" hinting at the idiomatic expression. Hence, TIDED fits perfectly.

  • The clue "Chops" can be interpreted as a play on words. "Chops" can mean finely cutting or dicing food, which aligns with the action of mincing. Additionally, "minces" can describe someone speaking in a delicate or restrained manner, tying to "chops" metaphorically. Thus, MINCES fits.

  • The clue "High-end suit" refers to luxury designer Giorgio Armani, renowned for crafting premium, tailored suits. The brand "Armani" is synonymous with sophistication and high fashion, making it a fitting answer to describe a "high-end suit." This is a straightforward reference to the designer's reputation.

  • The clue "Locale for a couples cruise?" uses a pun. NOAH'S ARK was famously a vessel where animals boarded in pairs, or "couples." The word "cruise" hints humorously at a boat setting, tying it to the biblical story and its paired occupants.

  • The Flying Wallendas are a famous family of circus performers known for their high-wire acts. "Milieu" refers to their environment, and the BIG TOP is the large tent used in circuses, often where such acts are performed. Thus, BIGTOP is the fitting answer.

  • The phrase "Obsessed with" suggests a deep interest or preoccupation. "INTO," in casual usage, expresses enthusiasm or obsession with something (e.g., "She's really into music"). The clue plays on this informal expression, making "INTO" the apt solution.

  • The answer is LOU because it refers to Lou Reed, the legendary musician who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice—once with his band, The Velvet Underground, and later as a solo artist. His influential work secures his Hall of Fame status.

  • The solution "COMETS" fits because, historically, comets were viewed as celestial omens or harbingers of significant events, often interpreted as warnings or signs by various cultures. As they are rare and striking celestial phenomena, they were commonly linked to superstition and prophetic beliefs.

  • The clue "Make tears" refers to shedding tears, which is synonymous with the act of crying. The word "weep" directly means to cry or shed tears, making it the perfect fit for this straightforward clue. The verb "make" here implies causing or producing tears, aligning with "weep."

  • The clue "Mind meld?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. A "mind meld" suggests connecting minds or thoughts, which aligns with "ESP" (Extrasensory Perception). ESP refers to psychic abilities like telepathy, where individuals seemingly share thoughts, fitting the playful interpretation of "mind meld."

Down

  • In an airplane, the "cabin" is the enclosed space where passengers and crew are seated and serves as the main part of the aircraft's interior. The clue simply describes a physical component of an airplane, making CABIN the straightforward answer.

  • The answer is ALAMO because Davy Crockett, a famous 19th-century frontiersman, died at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. This historic mission in San Antonio, Texas, was a key site in the Texas Revolution, making "the Alamo" an iconic reference to his death.

  • The answer "REBMILCKCOR" is "ROCK CLIMBER" reversed. The clue's mention of "El Capitan" (a famous rock climbing site) and since this clue is the first themer of today's puzzle it employs the SCALE UP/CLIMBING wordplay. "Athlete tackling El Capitan" humorously describes a "rock climber," and reversing the solution fits the puzzle.

  • The answer "TERN" is correct because terns are seabirds closely related to gulls, both belonging to the same bird family, Laridae. They share similar characteristics like long wings, coastal habitats, and fishing behaviors, making "Relative of a gull" a fitting clue for TERN.

  • The clue likely utilizes wordplay, as BLUE can mean both the color and feelings of sadness or melancholy. It could also relate to something described explicitly as "blue" (e.g., in nature or mood). Check for context in the puzzle for a better fit, including thematic hints.

  • The answer "ALT" refers to "alt-country," a genre of music blending traditional country with alternative rock influences. The blank (___) in the clue indicates that "country" is combined with a prefix or descriptor, making "alt" (short for "alternative") the fitting completion.

  • At 49D, we have 'With 7-Down, worker who likely knows the ropes'. The answer is WINDOW WASHER, but it's a themer spanning two clues and employing the SCALE UP wordplay. Each word is spelled backwards.

  • The answer "ENIVEPARG" is "GRAPEVINE" spelled backward. This clue is a themer employing 'SCALE UP' wordplay. A bunch of fruit, like grapes, grows on a grapevine. The reversal adds a playful twist as part of the puzzle's trick.

  • The answer "RACE" fits the clue "Hurry" because both imply moving quickly or acting with speed. To race means to rush or move rapidly, which aligns with the essence of hurrying. This is a straightforward synonym-based clue with no additional wordplay involved.

  • The clue "Wiped out" refers to removing or obliterating something completely. The word "ERASED" directly fits this definition, as it means to remove or delete something, like writing on a chalkboard or an image memory, aligning perfectly with the clue's intent.

  • The answer is CNN. CNN International is a global news channel widely available in hotels worldwide, making it a recognizable choice for travelers seeking news updates. The blank "___ International" directly points to CNN, as it operates a prominent international channel under that name.

  • The clue refers to the lyric "Deck the Halls," a famous Christmas carol. In the song, the phrase "’Tis the season to be jolly" uses the contraction ’Tis, short for "It is." Its inclusion in quotes indicates spoken language, pointing directly to "’Tis" as the answer.

  • The answer is SAO because the clue refers to São Tiago, also written as Santiago, which is the largest island in Cape Verde. "São" is Portuguese for "Saint," reflecting the Portuguese influence in Cape Verde, a former colony. Hence, SAO fits the blank perfectly.

  • EUREKA is famously attributed to Archimedes, who reportedly exclaimed it upon discovering the principle of buoyancy. It translates to "I have found it!" in Greek, making it a fitting expression of triumph or realization after solving a problem, perfectly aligning with "Problem solver's cry."

  • The clue quotes a line from Romeo and Juliet, where "Alas" is an archaic, expressive word of sorrow or regret, fitting the lament over love's paradoxical nature. The blank in the quote intuitively matches this exclamation, aligning with Shakespearean language and context.

  • MSG is the solution because it refers to Madison Square Garden, the iconic arena in New York City that is the home venue for the NHL team, the New York Rangers. The clue's abbreviation "N.Y." matches the answer's abbreviation, a typical crossword convention.

  • The revealer DOES IT SCALE works on two levels. It’s the classic investor’s question about whether a startup can grow, but in the grid it’s taken literally—the theme answers “scale” upward, reading bottom-to-top instead of top-to-bottom. So ROCK CLIMBER, GRAPEVINE, SPIDERMAN, and WINDOW WASHER all demonstrate the idea of scaling by physically climbing the grid.

  • The Addams family is a fictional, quirky family from film, TV, and comics. Gomez Addams is the eccentric, loving patriarch of the family. The clue directly refers to “One of the Addams family,” and GOMEZ is a key and well-known member, making it the correct answer.

  • The answer "ERODE" fits the clue "Slowly diminish" because "erode" means to gradually wear away or reduce something, often over time. This metaphorically aligns with the idea of something slowly diminishing in size, strength, or significance, making it a perfect match for the clue.

  • The term "DIRT" is slang for gossip or scandalous information about someone, often referred to as "digging up dirt" on a person. The clue plays on this informal usage, making DIRT the fitting answer.

  • The answer "BATIK" fits because it is a traditional dyeing technique where patterns are created on fabric by applying wax to resist the dye. This results in intricate, colorful designs and is widely used in Southeast Asian art, particularly in Indonesia where it is culturally significant.

  • In Jungian psychology, the "anima" represents the feminine inner personality of a man, one of the key archetypes in Carl Jung's theories. The term "archetype" in the clue directly points to this psychological concept, making ANIMA the correct answer.

  • The answer "NAMREDIPS" is "SPIDER-MAN" spelled backward. The proverb is famously attributed to Spider-Man’s origin story, specifically Uncle Ben’s advice to Peter Parker. The backward spelling aligns with the 'SCALE UP' theme of today's puzzle.

  • The clue “Clown” can refer to a playful or silly person, which aligns with the informal meaning of "GOOF." Additionally, "to goof" means to act in a foolish or clumsy manner, reinforcing its connection to behaving like a clown.

  • The clue "Weddings" directly relates to the concept of unions, as weddings symbolize the formal joining or union of two people in marriage. The word "unions" also aligns with the broader idea of bringing together two entities, making it a fitting and synonymous answer.

  • The clue "Traffic director" uses wordplay to hint at an object rather than a person. A "cone" is commonly used in traffic management to guide or redirect vehicles, effectively "directing" the flow of traffic. Its shape and placement are key to controlling road movement.

  • The clue "Fool" refers to someone who acts foolishly. ASS is a slang term for someone behaving thoughtlessly or foolishly, often used as a mild insult. It's a concise and accurate synonym that aligns with the definition provided by the clue.

  • The answer "NOTATE" fits the clue "Write, as music" because "notate" means to write or transcribe music into notation, typically using musical symbols on a staff. It directly describes the act of documenting music in written form, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

  • The clue spans two entries: "With 7-Down, worker who likely knows the ropes." The answer "WODNIW," when combined with "CLEANER" from 7-Down, forms "WINDOW WASHER." A window washer physically works with ropes while cleaning tall buildings, cleverly fitting the phrase "knows the ropes" as a pun.

  • The clue "Subs" is a playful, short form. Here, "Subs" refers to submarine sandwiches, which are often called HERO sandwiches, especially in certain regions of the U.S. The plural “Subs” matches the plural “HEROS.” This wordplay connects the clue to the answer seamlessly.

  • The clue "Invite from atop the stairs, say" uses wordplay. If someone is at the top of the stairs, they might "invite" someone below by calling for them to "ask up," or come up. The phrase "ask up" fits this context of summoning or inviting someone upwards.

  • The clue "When ties get untied, for short" plays on the idea of a change in sports standings. "Ties" getting "untied" means games no longer end equally, affecting the "in overtime" (abbreviated as INOT) period, which breaks ties in sports. Thus, INOT is the fitting answer.

  • The phrase "___ in three" refers to "checkmate in three moves," a term from chess indicating a game-ending situation within three moves. "Mate" is shorthand for "checkmate," making it the fitting solution for this clue.

  • The clue refers to a breakfast offering called "Rise ’N Shine," which is a specific menu item served at IHOP (International House of Pancakes), a popular restaurant chain known for its breakfast options. "Place" in the clue indicates a physical location, making IHOP the perfect fit.

  • ABC is the solution because it represents the most basic and fundamental sequence, often used as a metaphor for simplicity or ease (as in "it's as easy as ABC"). It directly aligns with the idea of the "epitome of simplicity."

  • The clue refers to "Flying Down to Rio," a 1933 musical film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. "Rio" in the title directly refers to Rio de Janeiro, a key setting of the film. The blank in the clue is filled by "Rio" to complete the title.

  • The clue "Lion keeper?" with a question mark signals wordplay. MGM refers to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the famous film studio known for its iconic roaring lion logo. "Keeper" hints at MGM being associated with and preserving this lion image in its branding for decades.

  • The clue "Start to count?" uses wordplay with the phrase "count," referencing numbers. The "start" of counting is the number ONE, as counting typically begins with one. The question mark signals the playful or pun-like nature of the clue, leading to this straightforward numerical answer.

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Today’s NYT The Crossword Highlights

A neat Thursday twist! The revealer DOES ITS SCALE cues that the long theme entries “scale” the grid—i.e., they read bottom-to-top. So ROCK CLIMBER, GRAPEVINE, SPIDER-MAN, and the split WINDOW / WASHER all appear reversed in their Down slots, answering the investor’s question with a visual “Yes!” The upward motion nicely echoes climbing, vines growing, and knowing the ropes. Elegant construction, especially the WINDOW/WASHER two-part entry. The surrounding fill stays lively—BABE RUTH’s quote, NOIR, ANKARA, ARMANI, BIG TOP, NOAH’S ARK—with playful cluing like “That little thing you do?” for TIC and “Locale for a couples cruise?” for NOAHSARK. Clever, clean, and very Thursday.

Today's Tricky Wordplay

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NYT Crossword - All You Need To Know

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Themes

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