"I'll ___ you!" - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is DESK because it is a common, logical location where one keeps a pencil sharpener. Desks are general workspaces for writing, drawing, or studying, tasks that often require sharpened pencils. The clue is straightforward, with no wordplay or special indicators.

The answer "PAMPA" refers to the vast, fertile, and flat grassland plains in Argentina, known as "las pampas" in Spanish. These plains are a defining geographical feature of the country, fitting the clue "Argentine plain" perfectly. The singular "plain" matches the singular form "PAMPA."

An IMAM is an Islamic prayer leader who leads congregational prayers in a mosque. The clue "Prayer leader" directly refers to this role, making IMAM the correct solution. It aligns with the religious context implied by the clue.

The clue "Droves" refers to large quantities or masses. The solution, ATON, plays on the phrase "a ton," which is often used figuratively to mean "a lot" or "many"—matching the concept of droves. It's a clever use of wordplay in this context.

The answer is ARIEL because she is the Disney princess from The Little Mermaid who desires to live among humans, famously singing "Part of Your World." This longing defines her character, making ARIEL the clear connection to the clue.

The clue "Come to" suggests regaining consciousness or alerting after being unconscious or unaware. WAKE fits, as it describes the act of waking up or coming back to awareness, commonly associated with "coming to" after sleeping, fainting, or being unconscious.

The answer is SHUE because both Andrew Shue and Elisabeth Shue are well-known actors. They are siblings, making "acting sibling Andrew or Elisabeth" a direct reference to their shared last name, SHUE. This clue straightforwardly points to their family name.

The clue "What pulls out all the stops?" is a play on words. "Stops" refers to clogs or blockages in plumbing. DRANO, a drain cleaner, literally clears blockages (or "stops") in pipes, aligning perfectly with the pun in the clue's phrasing.

The answer is OKRA because this vegetable is commonly called "lady's fingers" outside the U.S., particularly in regions like India and the U.K., due to its elongated, slender shape resembling fingers. OKRA is a well-known edible green seed pod often used in stews, soups, and other dishes.

The clue "Start illegally, say" hints at a wordplay. To "hotwire" is to start a car without a key, an illegal act often associated with theft. "Start" directly refers to starting a car, and "illegally" signals the unlawful method, making HOTWIRE the fitting answer.

NOONEON is the solution because every baseball inning begins with no players on base—meaning "no one on" base. This phrase is literal and describes the standard start of an inning before any hits or walks occur. It plays on the straightforward language of baseball terminology.

The suffix "ISH" is commonly used in English to indicate approximation, resemblance, or a sense of being "kind of." For example, "childish" means "kind of like a child" or "red-ish" means "kind of red." Hence, ISH perfectly fits as the answer to "Kind of" suffix.

The clue "Shore up the ranks" suggests reinforcing or replenishing a group, particularly a workforce or team. "RESTAFF" fits as it means hiring new staff to fill roles or replace vacancies, bolstering the ranks. The phrasing hints at re-stocking or reinforcing personnel.

The answer "ANT" fits the clue "Little pest" because ants are small (little) insects often considered pests due to their tendency to invade homes, gardens, or picnics. The term "pest" aligns with their nuisance behavior, making "ANT" an accurate and concise solution.

The answer is ELK because elk are a species of deer known for their distinctive physical trait: a noticeable white rump patch. This feature is especially prominent and helps identify them in the wild, making ELK the perfect fit for the clue "Animal with a white rump."

The solution "TAM" refers to a "tam o'shanter," a traditional Scottish hat commonly associated with the Scottish Highlands. Its rounded crown and woolen structure make it iconic in Scottish attire, aligning with the clue's reference to a "Highlands hat."

The phrase "epitome of simplicity" refers to something basic and easy to understand. "ABC" represents the alphabet's beginning and is often shorthand for fundamental concepts or simplicity, as in "as easy as ABC." This aligns perfectly with the clue's meaning.

The word "Binge" refers to indulging in excessive activity, often all at once. "SPREE" similarly denotes an intense and overindulgent burst of activity, such as shopping or eating. The two terms share this concept of going overboard, making SPREE the fitting answer.

The clue "Pop-pop" is a playful and informal way of referring to a grandfather, which aligns perfectly with the affectionate term "GRAMP." The repetition in "Pop-pop" adds to its endearing tone, reinforcing the familial nickname often used for grandfathers. Hence, the answer is GRAMP.

CANADA is the answer because it shares the world's longest international border with the United States. This border spans approximately 5,525 miles (8,891 kilometers), making it the longest between two countries globally. The clue directly points to this geographical fact.

The answer "BEAMED" works because "showed great pride" implies a broad, glowing smile, often described as "beaming with pride." The phrase "in a way" suggests a figurative interpretation, aligning with the idea of a radiant, pride-filled expression.

The clue "Desirable Vegas couple?" with a question mark indicates wordplay. In Las Vegas, a city known for gambling, a "desirable couple" suggests something valuable in card games. Two ACES are highly desirable in poker or blackjack, making ACES the perfect pun-based answer.

The Washoe people are Indigenous to the Lake Tahoe region, which spans parts of California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is a significant cultural and historical area for the Washoe, making "Tahoe" the correct answer. The clue directly references this connection.

The answer is NERF because NERF is a popular toy brand known for its foam-based products, including the "NERF Blaster," a toy gun that shoots soft foam darts, making it safe for play. The blank in the clue is filled by the brand name to complete the well-known product.

The clue "Inconsequential" points to something trivial or insignificant. "MERE" captures this idea as it means "only" or "nothing more than," highlighting something of little importance or consequence, making it a precise fit for the clue.

The clue "Journeys by foot" suggests a word associated with walking-based travels. "TREKS" aptly matches, as it refers to long, often challenging journeys made on foot, aligning perfectly with the idea of venturing by foot. The plural form in "Journeys" also matches the plural "TREKS."

The clue "Ones eliciting knee-jerk reactions, informally?" has a pun. "Knee-jerk reactions" hints at reflexes, which are tested by medical professionals. "Informally" points to a casual term for doctors: DOCS, who perform reflex tests using a rubber hammer.

The clue "Exemplar" refers to a perfect example or model of excellence. The term PARAGON perfectly matches this definition, as it denotes someone or something that serves as an ideal, exemplary standard of perfection. This direct definition-to-definition fit makes PARAGON the correct solution.

The question mark in the clue indicates wordplay. "Having a strong sense of direction?" plays on the idea of giving directions in an authoritative or commanding way. Someone who issues directions strongly and firmly might be described as "BOSSY," making it the fitting answer.

"ARO" is short for "aromantic," describing someone who experiences little to no romantic attraction. The clue’s phrase "likely oriented toward platonic relationships" refers to how aromantic individuals often prioritize platonic rather than romantic connections, aligning with the definition. The "in brief" signals an abbreviation.

The answer "ORCAS" fits because orcas, also called killer whales, belong to the dolphin family (Delphinidae) and are apex predators. They are known to hunt other dolphins, showcasing their predatory behavior. This aligns with the clue, making ORCAS the correct solution.

The answer "AROAR" fits because "revving" suggests a loud, continuous noise, like the roar of an engine. The prefix "A-" in front of "ROAR" is an older poetic or literary style emphasizing the roaring sound, perfectly capturing the description of an engine in action.

The answer is ITO because Midori Ito is a renowned Japanese figure skater. She was the first woman to land a triple Axel in competition and is celebrated as one of the greatest figure skaters in history. Her last name, "Ito," matches the clue directly.

The clue "Words after 'ding, ding, ding'" suggests a spoken reaction or announcement, mimicking a celebratory tone. "Ding, ding, ding" is often associated with the sound of a bell, signaling a toast or celebratory moment where someone might exclaim or propose a "toast" in a group setting.

The answer "DEFYING," paired with 68-Across ("GRAVITY"), refers to the iconic song "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked. The seven starred clues involve themes of resistance or overcoming challenges, aligning with the song's message. Additionally, the circled letters spell "ELPHABA," the character who sings this powerful anthem.

Paired with 66-Across, GRAVITY completes the revealer “DEFYING GRAVITY,” the Wicked showstopper that explains the theme: letters in certain answers “rise” upward, literally defying gravity in the grid.

The clue "Bronzed" can refer to getting a suntan, which leaves your skin bronzed in appearance. The answer "GOT A TAN" humorously describes the process or result of being exposed to sunlight, leading to a bronzed look. This utilizes a playful interpretation of the term.

The phrase "Not just yet" suggests a delay or postponing something to a future time. "LATER ON" perfectly fits, as it conveys the idea of doing something at a later time, aligning with the clue’s meaning.

The clue "Abjures" means to renounce or reject something formally or emphatically. "Eschews" is a synonym, meaning to deliberately avoid or abstain from something, often with strong intent. Both words convey a sense of purposeful rejection, making ESCHEWS the fitting answer.

The clue "Target of urban renewal, say" points to something undesirable in a cityscape that urban renewal aims to improve or eliminate. An "EYESORE" refers to an unattractive or unsightly structure or area, making it a fitting target for beautification and renovation efforts.