Bold choice, perhaps? - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Skirt" with no additional context relies on a secondary meaning of the word. To "skirt" something means to avoid or evade it, which aligns with the definition of "DODGE"—to elude or escape. This clever wordplay connects both terms through this shared meaning.

The answer is EVIAN because it is a well-known brand of bottled water sourced from the French Alps. Its logo prominently features the Alps, aligning with the clue referring to both the brand and the mountain range. This makes EVIAN the fitting solution.

NEONTETRA is correct because it’s a small, vibrant freshwater fish known for its dazzling iridescent blue and red stripes. The term "neon" reflects its bright, glowing colors, perfectly matching the clue's description of a colorful fish with iridescent stripes.

The clue "Need for a demo, maybe?" involves wordplay. "Demo" here plays on "demolition," hinting at something explosive. TNT (trinitrotoluene) is a well-known explosive material used in demolition activities, making it the apt answer for this pun-filled clue.

The answer "IOTA" fits because it is a term meaning an extremely small amount or a tiny particle. It originates from the Greek alphabet where "iota" represents the smallest letter, emphasizing its association with something minimal or insignificant, aligning perfectly with "Really small amount."

The answer is STARR because Belle Starr was a notorious 19th-century outlaw in the American Old West. Known as the "Bandit Queen," she became a legendary figure, celebrated in films and TV shows for her rebellious, outlaw lifestyle, which fits the clue referencing her real-life fame in media.

"Paragon" refers to an ideal example or model of excellence. A "textbook example" is a commonly used phrase meaning a perfect or quintessential illustration of a concept, much like a "paragon." Thus, "TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE" fits perfectly as the solution.

The clue specifies "in Spanish," indicating the answer must be in Spanish as well. "Está bien!" translates to "All right!" or "It's fine!" in English. "Está" is a conjugation of the verb "estar," meaning "to be." Therefore, the missing word is "ESTA."

The answer is SHOJI because it refers to traditional Japanese sliding screens made of wood and translucent paper or fabric. These are commonly used as partitions or doors in Japanese tearooms, allowing light to pass through while maintaining privacy, perfectly matching the clue description.

The answer "CAROM" refers to a type of bounce, specifically when an object ricochets or glances off a surface at an angle. It’s a term often used in billiards but can describe any deflective rebound, aligning directly with the clue "Bounce."

The clue "Excess of inventory" directly relates to the term OVERSTOCK, which describes having more goods or products than needed or sellable. "Over-" suggests an excess, while "stock" refers to inventory. Together, OVERSTOCK perfectly matches the clue’s definition.

The clue "Like canvas grocery bags" refers to their common characteristic of being durable and intended for multiple uses instead of single-use. This makes them "REUSABLE," which directly describes their purpose and aligns with the eco-friendly quality often associated with canvas bags.

The clue "Cookbook qty." refers to a quantity often listed in recipes. "TSP" is the abbreviation for "teaspoon," a common unit of measurement in cooking. "Qty." hints at a shortened form, matching the abbreviation. Thus, TSP fits perfectly as the solution here.

The clue "Does some stretching?" ends with a question mark, signaling wordplay. "Stretching" here is used metaphorically for "stretching the truth," which means lying. Thus, the answer "LIES" cleverly fits as it refers to someone "stretching" facts, aligning with the pun in the clue.

The answer, MIOSIS, refers to the medical term for the constriction (narrowing) of the pupils. It occurs due to various causes like exposure to light, certain drugs, or neurological factors. The clue directly defines this physiological process, making MIOSIS the precise fit.

The answer "DAE" fits the clue because Daniel Dae Kim is a well-known actor, recognized for his role in "Hawaii Five-0." His middle name is "Dae," making it the correct completion for the clue "Daniel ___ Kim of 'Hawaii Five-0.'"

The solution "MAIM" fits the clue "Seriously harm" because "maim" means to injure someone so severely that their body is permanently damaged or disfigured. It directly aligns with the idea of causing serious harm, particularly of a physical nature. It’s a straightforward synonym.

The clue "Come on, just once!" suggests a plea or encouragement to give something a single attempt, aligning perfectly with the phrase "TRY IT." The casual tone of the clue matches the conversational nature of the answer, making "TRYIT" the solution.

The answer is PESTO because it is a common Italian sauce made of basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil. It’s often used as a topping for fresh Italian dishes like tomatoes. The word "dolloped" suggests it's spooned or added in small portions, which fits pesto's use perfectly.

The clue “Misses watching a bullfight?” plays on the double meaning of “Misses” as young women and “Señoritas,” which is Spanish for young ladies or Misses. Since bullfights are popular in Spanish-speaking countries, the pun connects the Spanish term “Señoritas” with the context of a bullfight.

The answer is NATURE because "human nature" refers to innate characteristics or tendencies of humans, and "second nature" describes skills or habits that become automatic through practice. Both phrases commonly pair "nature" with the clue's specified words: "human" and "second."

The clue "Spot for a speaker" refers to a platform or raised area where someone delivers a speech—like a speaker at an event. A "dais" is a raised platform often used for such purposes, making it the correct answer.

The clue “Young 31-Down” connects to entry 31-Down (Misses watching a bullfight?/SENORITAS). The foreign language indicator here is implied, and "muchachas" is the Spanish word for "girls" or "young women," matching the clue's intent and language cue.

The clue "Lead-in to integration" refers to the term "disintegration." The prefix "DIS-" means "opposite of" or "apart," making it a logical lead-in to the word "integration," as "disintegration" means the process of breaking apart or falling apart.

The answer "INERT" fits because it means lacking the ability to move or act. "Not going anywhere" describes something still or motionless, which aligns with the definition of "inert" as physically or chemically inactive. It's a direct synonym in this context.

The phrase "Provided with, as anonymous tips" suggests passing on or supplying information. "Fed to" means giving or providing something to someone, fitting the idea of supplying anonymous tips to someone, such as law enforcement. The phrasing aligns with this transfer of information.

The answer is MALIA because Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama, has pursued a career in television writing. She has worked as a writer on projects like Donald Glover's TV series "Swarm," establishing her presence in the entertainment industry as a TV writer.

The answer "FRODO" refers to Frodo Baggins, the fictional character from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Frodo is a "noted ring bearer" because he carries the One Ring to destroy it in Mount Doom, making him a central figure in the iconic story.

The answer is ROLEN because Scott Rolen is a former Major League Baseball player known for his stellar defense at third base. He won eight Gold Glove awards during his career, making him one of the best defensive third basemen in MLB history.

The clue "Has an unsettled Venmo request, say" hints at owing money. If someone hasn't settled a Venmo payment request, it means they still owe that amount. The word "say" signals an example (like Venmo), which connects to the answer: OWES.

The clue "Cold one" refers to a common slang term for a chilled beverage, often beer. "BREW" is a term used for beer, aligning with this definition. The "cold" in the clue hints at how beer is often served, making BREW the fitting solution.

The answer "DOMS" refers to “Dom,” an honorific title given to monks in some Christian monastic traditions, particularly in the Benedictine and Carthusian orders. The plural "DOMS" fits the clue's plural "honorifics," indicating multiple monks being addressed with this title.

The answer is REB because it is a traditional Jewish honorific used as a respectful title preceding a man's name, similar to "Mister" but often used for men of learning or piety. It’s commonly found in Yiddish-speaking or Orthodox Jewish communities.

The answer "TEE" refers to a "T-shirt," a common piece of merchandise sold at concerts. Fans often buy T-shirts featuring the artist's name, logo, or tour details as a memento of the event. The clue uses "Bit of merch" to hint at this abbreviation.