"Can anyone explain this?!" - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "EMTS" stands for Emergency Medical Technicians. These professionals are skilled in triage, which involves assessing and prioritizing patients' conditions in emergencies. "Triage pros" directly refers to their expertise in making quick, life-saving decisions at accident or medical emergency scenes.

The answer "MAHI" refers to "mahi-mahi," a common informal name for the dorado fish. It's often used in culinary or casual contexts. "Informally" in the clue signals the use of this shortened, non-scientific term.

The phrase "Scrapes (out)" suggests a struggle or effort to barely achieve or obtain something, often used in phrases like "ekes out a living." "EKES" fits perfectly here as it describes the act of scraping by or managing with difficulty, aligning with the clue's intended meaning.

The clue "Just out" describes something that is recent or brand-new. The word "NEW" perfectly fits, as it means something that has recently appeared, been released, or come into existence—matching the definition of "just out."

The clue “Attire that may snap on” uses wordplay. DIAPERS are a type of "attire" for babies and often fasten with snaps or adhesive tabs. The phrase "snap on" cleverly refers to how they are secured, making DIAPERS the correct and fitting answer.

The clue "Does up, in a way" involves wordplay. "Does up" can mean to style or arrange something, like hair or outfits. "In a way" hints at a broader interpretation. Thus, STYLES fits as it refers to arranging or "doing up" things like fashion, hair, or design.

The clue "Big do" refers to a significant or grand event, with "do" often informally meaning a celebration or gathering. A GALA is a large, formal event or party, fitting the description of a "big do" perfectly. This explains why GALA is the correct answer.

RKO is the solution because it was a prominent film studio during Hollywood's Golden Age, responsible for producing classics like Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious (1946). While Nocturne (1946) may be less known, it was also one of RKO's productions, making the studio the link between these films.

The clue "Came out of bankruptcy, say" hints at recovering or resuming operations, as businesses often shut during bankruptcy. Once financial stability is restored, they may "REOPEN" for business. The word "say" suggests a figurative or general interpretation, aligning with "REOPENED" to indicate resuming activities post-bankruptcy.

A "dealer's shoe" is a device used in casinos to hold multiple decks of cards during table games like blackjack. It "gives a hand" by dispensing cards to players. The clue's pun plays on both dealing cards and lending a helping hand in the game.

The word "Opposed" means being against something, which aligns with "ANTI." "ANTI" is a prefix or term that conveys opposition or being against an idea, action, or stance, making it a direct and fitting answer for this clue.

ISIS is the solution because she is an ancient Egyptian deity whose worship spread across the Roman Empire. A temple dedicated to Isis existed in Pompeii, indicating her importance in Roman religious practices. The clue points to her specific historical and cultural significance in that region.

SETH is the answer because Seth Gilliam is an actor known for his role as Ellis Carver on the TV series "The Wire." The clue directly names the actor and the show, making it a straightforward reference to his first name, SETH.

The word "mien" refers to a person's demeanor, expression, or attitude, often reflecting their mood or character. It matches "Attitude" as both can describe how someone carries themselves or their outward manner. This connection makes MIEN the apt solution for the clue.

The clue "Some athleisure bottoms" hints at a type of activewear commonly worn for comfort and sports. SKORTS are a combination of skirts and shorts, often used in athleisure for their sporty yet fashionable style, fitting the category of "bottoms" perfectly.

The clue "Modern water sport" points to a recreational activity involving water that’s relatively contemporary. Parasailing fits perfectly, as it involves being towed by a boat while attached to a parachute, blending water sports and aerial adventure—hence “modern.” It’s widely popular and unmistakably tied to water.

The word "HAILS" fits because "Summons" can mean to call or attract attention, often in a formal or urgent way. To "hail" someone is to call out to them, as in summoning a cab or greeting someone to get their attention, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

The clue "500 competitor" refers to participants in the Indianapolis 500, a famous car racing event. A competitor in such a race is a "RACER," making this the fitting solution. The number "500" directly hints at racing, tying the clue to the term RACER.

The phrase "Top form" refers to someone's best possible performance or effort. "A-game" is a common term used to describe someone performing at their highest level, synonymous with being in top form. Hence, the answer "AGAME" perfectly fits the clue.

The answer is DAVID because, in the Bible, David was a shepherd before being anointed as king of Israel. He is a central figure in biblical texts, famously known for defeating Goliath and later becoming a king with significant references in both religious history and scripture.

The answer "PLANE" works because in geometry, a plane is a type of figure—a flat, two-dimensional surface that extends infinitely. The clue refers to a mathematical or geometrical concept, making "PLANE" the apt solution for "Kind of figure."

The clue "I I I" represents three capital "I"s, which can also resemble the Greek letter IOTA (ι). The plural form, IOTAS, fits the clue as it symbolically refers to these three "I"s. It's a classic crossword use of visual wordplay.

ELISE Neal is an actress who co-starred in the sitcom "The Hughleys," which aired from 1998 to 2002. She played Yvonne Hughley, wife of the main character. The clue references her as a cast member from the show, making ELISE the correct answer.

The clue "Painful spots" directly refers to localized areas on the body that cause pain or discomfort. SORES are lesions or spots on the skin or tissue that are often tender or painful, making it a straightforward match for the clue.

The clue, "People not to argue with, they say," hints at a proverb: “Don’t argue with fools, because they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” FOOLS fits as it plays on the idea that debating them is futile, aligning with the wordplay in "they say."

The phrase "Forcibly halve" suggests tearing something into two parts aggressively or forcefully. "Rip in two" is a literal description of such an action, aligning perfectly with the clue's wording. The answer captures the sense of division through force.

The clue "Dash" refers to a quick or rapid movement. "Sprint" is a synonym for "dash" as both describe moving quickly or hastily, often in a running context. No wordplay or trickery is involved—it's a straightforward definition.

The answer is POTOROO because it is a small marsupial native to Australia, fitting the "small marsupial" part of the clue. Additionally, its name exclusively uses the letters in "TROP" (P, O, T, R, and O again), matching the wordplay required by the clue.

The clue "Biblical verb" refers to a verb commonly found in the language of the Bible, particularly older translations like the King James Version. The archaic "-eth" suffix was often used for third-person singular verbs. "Giveth," meaning "gives," is a fitting example of such a Biblical verb.

In politics, "blue" traditionally represents Democrats, who are associated with the left-leaning side of the political spectrum. The clue specifies "Blue side, with 'the'," leading to the solution LEFT, referring to the "left" as the Democratic or blue-aligned side.

The clue "Med. diagnostics" refers to medical procedures used for diagnosis. MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans) are advanced diagnostic tools widely used in medicine to create detailed images of the body, fitting perfectly as the answer for this clue.

The Q3 is a luxury car model produced by Audi, a renowned German automobile manufacturer. The clue references this specific vehicle model, making AUDI the correct answer as the "Maker of the Q3." This plays on recognizing "Q3" as part of Audi's SUV lineup.

The phrase "___ a secret" implies being included in confidential or exclusive knowledge. The answer "INON" fits because the expression "in on a secret" means being privy to that secret. This common idiomatic usage makes "INON" the correct solution for the clue.

DR. NO is the titular villain of the 1962 James Bond film "Dr. No." He is a member of SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge, and Extortion), a criminal organization central to Bond stories. The clue directly ties him to SPECTRE, making DRNO the correct answer.

The answer is "ANNA" because Anna Arnold Hedgeman was a prominent American civil rights activist, educator, and politician. She was the first Black woman to hold a mayoral cabinet position in New York City and significantly contributed to racial and social justice movements throughout the 20th century.

In Islamic art, depicting human or animal forms, particularly religious figures, is traditionally discouraged to avoid idolatry. An ICON typically refers to a religious image or representation, making it a "forbidden subject" in this context due to its association with worship.

"MEWS" refers to a row of houses or stables that have been converted into homes, a term commonly used in Britain. Historically, mews were stables in narrow streets, often behind grand houses, which were later adapted for residential use, fitting the clue "Row houses, to Brits."

The clue "Canal entry" uses wordplay, referencing the ear canal, part of the body. The "entry" is what sound enters through—the "ear." This clever misdirection shifts the meaning from waterways to anatomy. Hence, the answer is EAR.

EKG, short for electrocardiogram, is a medical diagnostic tool used to measure the electrical activity of the heart. The clue "Med. diagnostic" is a direct reference to this procedure, commonly abbreviated as EKG, aligning perfectly with the concise format of crossword answers.