Large retail establishment … and a hint to four squares in this puzzle - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "ACTV" refers to Act V, the final act of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Miranda's famous lines, "O brave new world..." are spoken in Act V when she encounters a group of strangers, marveling at their presence. The clue directly points to the play’s act structure.

In criminal slang, "fences" are individuals who act as middlemen in illicit transactions, particularly by buying and selling stolen goods. The term fits the clue perfectly as "middlemen" refers to intermediaries, and the illicit nature aligns with their illegal trade activity.

SLOWEST means the least fast or the last to finish a race. In this puzzle, the answer contains the rebus LOWE'S, one of four retailer names hidden inside oversized squares, helping illustrate the BIG BOX STORE theme.

NORI is the thin, edible seaweed commonly used to wrap sushi rolls. It’s a staple in Japanese cuisine and fits the clue “Sushi wrapper” perfectly, as its primary function is to encase the rice and fillings in various types of sushi.

The clue "Waikiki welcomes" refers to common greetings used in Waikiki, a famous destination in Hawaii. "Alohas" is the plural form of "aloha," a Hawaiian word used for both "hello" and "goodbye." As a plural, it fits the clue's implication of multiple welcomes.

The Ute people are an Indigenous group native to the Great Basin region of the United States, primarily in modern-day Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Their name corresponds directly to "Indigenous people of the Great Basin," making "UTE" the correct and concise answer.

The term "GRAVEN IMAGE" refers to a carved or sculpted idol, often prohibited in religious contexts for worship. "Forbidden idol" directly points to this biblical concept, where such images were forbidden as objects of worship, aligning perfectly with the answer.

The phrase "American ___" is a common cultural reference to "American Pie," a classic song by Don McLean and a well-known term in American culture. Pie, particularly apple pie, is often seen as a symbol of traditional American values, making PIE the fitting answer.

A LOCAL DIVE is a familiar neighborhood bar, often valued more for atmosphere than glamour. The answer contains the rebus ALDI, one of the retailer names hidden inside the puzzle's oversized squares.

The clue "Subj. for one aspiring to become bilingual" refers to a subject (Subj.) studied to learn another language. ESL stands for "English as a Second Language," a program or subject designed for non-native speakers to learn English, often aiming to gain fluency in two languages (bilingualism).

The answer "GEMS" fits because gems are often seen as rare, valuable, and exemplary items—metaphorically representing "particularly fine examples." This clue uses clever wording to liken exceptional examples in any context to the brilliance and quality of gemstones.

In J.R.R. Tolkien's works, Treebeard is an "Ent," a race of ancient, tree-like beings who are guardians of the forests. The clue describes Treebeard as an example ("for one") of an "Ent," making it the correct answer.

The clue "Cards" is a playful hint. Here, "Cards" refers to identification cards (IDs), commonly abbreviated as "IDs." It's a clever misdirection, as it doesn't pertain to playing cards but rather to forms of identification commonly called "IDs."

The Shamash is the central, taller candle in a menorah, a candelabrum used in Jewish tradition, particularly during Hanukkah. It holds and lights the other candles. "Shamash holder" directly refers to the menorah as it is designed to house the Shamash and the eight Hanukkah candles.

The phrase "Really rips into" means to attack or criticize intensely, and "ASSAILS" perfectly aligns with this definition as it means to attack vigorously or assault, whether physically or verbally. The intense nature of both the clue and the answer makes ASSAILS the correct fit.

The phrase "take to" means to develop a liking or affection for something or someone, aligning with "become enamored with." For instance, if someone "takes to" an activity, it means they grow fond of or get attached to it, making TAKETO the fitting solution.

The word "beguile" means to charm, attract, or lure someone in a deceptive or persuasive way. "Entice" similarly means to attract or lure by offering something appealing or tempting, making it a perfect synonym and fitting solution for the clue.

The answer is SAGET because Bob Saget was the narrator of the TV show "How I Met Your Mother." His voice portrayed the older Ted Mosby, recounting the series' events to his children. While he was unseen, his narration played a crucial role throughout the series.

The answer "TSAR" fits because tsar was a historic title used by monarchs in Slavic countries, including Bulgaria. Between the 10th and 14th centuries, Bulgarian rulers used the title "tsar," derived from "Caesar," signifying imperial authority. This matches the clue specifying a historic Bulgarian ruler.

The answer "SMARM" fits because it refers to insincere, excessively flattering behavior—essentially "faux" (fake) flattery. SMARM often implies over-the-top, oily compliments meant to manipulate or ingratiate, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning. The succinct matching tone of the clue also supports the concise answer.

The answer is ROSS because Bob Ross was the iconic host of "The Joy of Painting", a popular PBS series where he taught painting techniques. Renowned for his calm demeanor and phrases like "happy little trees," Bob Ross is synonymous with this art instructional show, making ROSS the correct solution.

The answer is ATLAS because, in Greek mythology, Atlas is a Titan known for his immense strength, tasked with holding up the heavens (metaphorically broad shoulders). The word "broad-shouldered" cleverly hints at his burden and strength, aligning perfectly with the Titan's mythological depiction.

The clue "Most senior" refers to the highest rank in terms of age or position among a group. ELDEST specifically describes the oldest person within a group, aligning perfectly with the term "most senior" in age or generational hierarchy.

GRAPPA is the correct answer because it is a distilled Italian spirit made from pomace, the leftover grape skins, seeds, and stems from winemaking. The clue specifies "Italian liquor" and "winemaking leftovers," directly describing grappa’s origin and process.

YOGA POSES are positions practiced in yoga, such as downward dog. The answer contains the GAP rebus, one of four retailer names hidden inside the puzzle's oversized squares.

If something works LIKE A CHARM, it works perfectly. The answer includes the IKEA rebus, which appears in an oversized square and helps create the puzzle's BIG BOX STORE gimmick.

The number 151, once, refers to how 151 is written in Roman numerals. In Roman numerals, 151 is represented as CLI (C = 100, L = 50, I = 1). The clue is a straightforward reference to this numerical representation.

The answer "NOS" fits "Discouraging words" because "no" is a direct way to reject or refuse something. The plural "NOS" suggests multiple discouraging responses, emphasizing negativity or refusal, aligning perfectly with the clue's straightforward wording.

The answer "IPAs" refers to India Pale Ales, a popular style of beer. They come in various varieties, including Black IPA, Belgian IPA, and Double IPA. These terms describe specific brewing styles and flavor profiles, tying them directly to the clue's beer-related context.

The answer TAO refers to the central concept in Taoism, a Chinese philosophy emphasizing living in harmony with the Tao, which translates to "the Way" or "the Path." It represents natural order and balance, perfectly aligning with "Path to spiritual harmony."

The term "Bring out" means to evoke, draw forth, or extract something, typically emotions, reactions, or responses. "Elicit" directly aligns with this definition, as it refers to successfully drawing out or provoking a specific reaction or information. Thus, "Elicit" is the appropriate answer.

The clue "Lillehammer's land: Abbr." refers to the country where Lillehammer is located. Lillehammer is a city in Norway, and the abbreviation for Norway is "NOR," commonly used in international contexts like sports or geography. Hence, NOR is the correct answer.

The clue refers to "être," the French verb meaning "to be." "Est" is the third person singular form of "être" in the present tense, meaning "is" in English. Since the clue specifies a part of the conjugation, "est" fits perfectly.

Candy hearts typically feature short, romantic phrases. "BE MINE" is a classic inscription found on these candies, expressing affection or a declaration of love, fitting perfectly as the solution for this clue. Its conversational tone aligns with the clue's phrasing.

The answer "EDEN" refers to the biblical Garden of Eden, where, according to the Bible (Genesis 2:19-20), God brought animals to Adam to name them. This clue directly alludes to that passage, tying the setting and action specifically to Eden.

The clue "Told you!" is in quotes, suggesting it mimics spoken language or an exclamation. "See" is often used informally to emphasize a point or prove correctness, as in "See? I told you so!" Thus, "SEE" fits perfectly as the answer.

The answer is CRATES because orchards, where fruits like apples or oranges are grown, often use containers to collect, store, and transport the harvest. CRATES are sturdy, open boxes typically employed for this purpose, making them the ideal "Containers in orchards."

The phrase "Run into" can mean to unexpectedly encounter someone or something. The word "MEET" fits perfectly as it describes a situation where you come across someone, often by chance, aligning with the clue's intent.