"Toodle-oo!" - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer "IMAM" fits because an Imam is a recognized spiritual leader or cleric in Islam, responsible for leading prayers and guiding the congregation in a mosque. The clue directly references this role, making "IMAM" the accurate solution.

The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Georgia O'Keeffe, known for her iconic Southwestern art, lived much of her life in New Mexico, which greatly influenced her work. Thus, the state tied to her legacy and museum is New Mexico.

The clue “Sheesh, gimme a break!” is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "IMEANCMON" is a colloquial expression conveying exasperation, disbelief, or frustration—closely matching the tone of "Sheesh, gimme a break!" in casual speech. The phrase reflects the same emotional sentiment.

The answer "TED" refers to TED Talks, which are widely recognized presentations or speeches covering various topics such as technology, entertainment, and design (hence the acronym TED). The clue "___ talk" directly hints at this famous format of insightful and influential talks.

The word "ABSURD" directly means wildly unreasonable or illogical, which aligns perfectly with "Really ridiculous." Both describe situations or ideas that defy common sense or logic, making ABSURD the ideal answer for this straightforward clue.

The answer "BLOB" references the 1958 sci-fi horror film The Blob. In the movie, the Blob is an amorphous, carnivorous alien creature that consumes everything in its path. The clue hints at this famous cinematic monster, fitting the description of a "carnivorous cinematic alien."

The word "YENS" means strong cravings or intense desires, which aligns directly with the clue "Deep desires." It is often used to describe a longing or yearning for something, making it the perfect fit for this clue.

The answer "SEAR" fits because it describes cooking food quickly at high heat, often in a hot cast-iron pan. This technique creates a flavorful crust on the surface of the food, such as steak, aligning perfectly with the clue: "Cook in a very hot cast-iron pan, say."

The clue "Be a bed hog, maybe?" involves wordplay. A "bed hog" typically takes up excessive space in bed, which aligns with the word "SPRAWL," meaning to spread out awkwardly or widely. The "maybe" signals this behavior isn't literal but figurative, making SPRAWL the perfect fit.

The phrase "under the weather" is a common idiom meaning to feel unwell or sick. "Ill" directly translates to this state of being unwell, making it the fitting answer to the clue.

The clue uses wordplay. "Work on tips" refers to nail technicians working on the tips of nails, while "receive tips" refers to the gratuity customers give for their service. Both contexts apply perfectly to a NAIL SALON, making it the fitting answer.

The clue "Half of a biological helix" directly refers to the structure of DNA, which forms a double helix. A single half of this double helix is a DNA STRAND, which consists of a sequence of nucleotides. The precise phrasing points to this essential molecular component.

"Spot for a swing set" refers to a common location where a swing set might be placed. A YARD, typically the outdoor space around a house, is a frequent spot for swing sets, as it provides ample space for play and setup. Hence, YARD is the answer.

The answer is REES because Dee Rees is a prominent filmmaker who directed the critically acclaimed 2017 film Mudbound. The clue references her by name, focusing on her role as the director of this movie. Remember, director names are common in crossword puzzles!

The clue "Methods" refers to approaches, techniques, or procedures for doing something. "Ways" is synonymous with methods, as it describes different means or paths to achieve a result. The plural form matches the clue, which is also plural. Hence, WAYS is the correct answer.

The "aughts" refer to the 2000s decade (2000-2009). The decade following the aughts is the 2010s, colloquially called the "teens," because the years (2010-2019) include "teen" in their names (e.g., 2013, 2018). Hence, TEENS is the correct answer.

The clue "Steaming mad" directly describes an intense level of anger. "Irate" is a synonym for being extremely angry, aligning perfectly with the clue. The imagery of "steaming" reinforces the emotional intensity associated with the word "irate." Hence, IRATE is the fitting solution.

The answer "EDIT" fits because to make some alterations often means to revise or modify something, such as text, images, or content. "EDIT" directly refers to the process of making changes or improvements, aligning perfectly with the clue's straightforward wording.

The clue "Not online, for short" refers to the abbreviation IRL, which stands for "In Real Life." This term is often used to distinguish real-world interactions or situations from those occurring online or virtually. The "for short" hint indicates the answer is an abbreviation.

The solution "NAB" aligns with "Snatch up" as both imply capturing or quickly grabbing something, often in a decisive or sudden manner. "NAB" is a fitting verb that matches the straightforward and urgent tone of the clue.

The answer is GNU because "wildebeest" is another name for this large antelope species found in Africa. It's a direct synonym, so the clue is straightforward without wordplay or puns, focusing on the more scientific or common alternate term for wildebeest.

The answer is EDYS, referring to "Edy's," the ice cream brand known for its apostrophe in the name. The clue highlights this specific punctuation feature, pointing towards Edy's, a well-known brand of frozen desserts. The apostrophe signifies the possessive form, making this the fitting solution.

The term "ALLPRO" refers to elite football players selected for the All-Pro team, recognizing the best performers at each position in a given season. It fits "Football standout" as it highlights top-level achievement and excellence in the sport.

"Maiden" pairs with "name" as in a maiden name, the surname a woman has before marriage. It also pairs with "voyage," referring to a maiden voyage, the first journey of a ship or vehicle. Both uses perfectly fit the clue.

The answer "IMP" fits because an imp is a mischievous or troublesome creature in folklore, often associated with playful or annoying behavior. "Little pest" specifically suggests something small and bothersome, aligning perfectly with the imp’s mischievous, pesky nature.

The clue "Little old me?" uses wordplay with the phrase "little old me" to indicate humility or self-reference. "Moi" is the French word for "me," often used dramatically or humorously in English to emphasize oneself. The question mark suggests the playful tone of this self-referential expression.

The phrase "Fall back" can mean to retreat or move backward, which aligns with the definition of the word "RECEDE." It captures the idea of withdrawing, such as water receding from the shore or a retreating action, making it a fitting solution to this straightforward clue.

Hispaniola is an island in the Caribbean split into two countries: Haiti in the west and the Dominican Republic in the east. The clue specifies the "Western half," pointing to Haiti as the correct answer.

The clue uses a pun with "burning questions," hinting at something involving fire. ARSON, the criminal act of deliberately setting a fire, is tied to "burning" literally. The question mark indicates wordplay, linking the literal fire-setting activity to the metaphorical "questions" sparked by such an act.

The answer is METRO because the Parisian subway system is officially called the "Métro" (short for Métropolitain). The clue directly references Paris, guiding you to the French name used for their subway network. Additionally, no wordplay or foreign language translation is needed for this straightforward clue.

USWNT stands for the United States Women's National Team, which competes in international soccer tournaments. Lindsey Horan is a key player and captain of the squad. "Squad" signals a team, and "for short" clarifies the need for an abbreviation. Hence, USWNT fits perfectly.

The clue "Gets together with" directly suggests the act of coming into contact or joining someone. "MEETS" perfectly matches, as it means to gather or come into contact with others. It's a straightforward definition with no wordplay.

The answer "STUB" refers to a ticket stub, historically a small piece of a concert ticket kept after entry as a keepsake or proof of attendance. The phrase "once" hints at a time when physical ticket stubs were more common before digital tickets became prevalent.

The answer "OHSO" fits the clue "Very, very much" because it is an emphatic phrase often used to express an extreme degree, similar to saying "Oh, so much." It conveys intensity or exaggeration, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

The answer is GLEE because it directly means a feeling of utter delight or great joy. The clue is straightforward, with no tricks or wordplay, making "glee" the perfect synonym for the given phrase.

The answer is ALLA because "Penne alla vodka" is a classic Italian pasta dish. The word "alla" in Italian translates to "in the style of," indicating how the dish is prepared, in this case with vodka-based tomato cream sauce. It fits the culinary context of the clue.

The solution "WOK" fits because a wok is a round-bottomed cooking vessel traditionally used in Chinese cuisine, ideal for stir-frying due to its shape, which allows even heat distribution and quick cooking. The clue directly points to a vessel used for stir-frying, making "WOK" the logical answer.

The clue "Part of una semana" includes the Spanish phrase "una semana," meaning "a week." In Spanish, a part of a week is a "día," which means "day." Therefore, the answer is DIA, reflecting the alignment with the language used in the clue.