Open some bubbly with a bang - NYT The Crossword Clue

Patatas bravas and croquetas are popular Spanish small dishes, typically served as snacks or appetizers. "Tapas" refers to a variety of such small plates in Spanish cuisine, making it a fitting answer. The clue's examples directly represent types of tapas.

The clue "Fill with joy" directly defines the word "ELATE." To elate someone means to uplift their spirits or make them extremely happy, effectively "filling them with joy." It's a perfect synonym match, making ELATE the correct answer.

The answer "LAPSE" fits "Momentary slip" because a lapse refers to a brief failure or temporary error in judgment, memory, or behavior—essentially a short-lived mistake or slip. "Momentary" emphasizes the fleeting nature of the error, aligning perfectly with the definition of "lapse."

The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is a standardized exam required for admission to most law schools. A future J.D., or Juris Doctor, is a law degree, making the LSAT an essential step for those aspiring to earn this degree and pursue a legal career.

"JACKED" is slang for being very muscular or having a highly defined and impressive physique. The term evokes the image of someone whose muscles are "jacked up" or extremely built through intense workouts, making it a fitting solution for the clue "Very muscular, in slang."

The clue "Dropped the ball" refers to making a mistake or failing to perform as expected. The word "ERRED" means to make an error, aligning perfectly with the metaphorical meaning of the clue. This is a straightforward, non-wordplay use of the phrase.

In Britain, "facilities" is a polite term often referring to restrooms. The British slang for a restroom is "loo," making it the perfect match for this clue. The use of "in Britain" signals the answer pertains to British terminology.

In golf, a "high score" is undesirable since the goal is to have the lowest score. The highest-scoring golfer would finish in LAST place, making this clue a playful use of wordplay with an ironic twist on expectations.

The clue "Ish" hints at something approximate or not exact. The answer, ORSO, is a play on "or so," a phrase often used to mean "approximately" or "ish" in casual speech. This wordplay connects the clue and answer cleverly.

The clue uses wordplay: "Sayonara" is a Japanese word, hinting at the language. "College-credit class" refers to AP (Advanced Placement) courses offered in high school. Combining these, APJAPANESE fits as it’s a college-credit class in the Japanese language. The pun ties "sayonara" (farewell) to the high school experience.

The phrase "Really booked it" is slang for moving very quickly, often in a hurry. "Hauled ass" is another informal expression meaning to move at high speed. The answer fits the clue perfectly as they are both casual ways of saying "moved fast."

The clue "Charitable contributions, collectively" refers to general help or support provided to those in need, often in the form of donations or aid. "AID" aptly captures this idea as it encompasses all forms of charitable assistance given collectively to help others.

The clue "Dude!" in quotes indicates a casual or slang term for addressing someone. "Bro" is a common informal way to refer to a male friend or peer, often synonymous with "dude" in conversational English. Hence, the answer is BRO.

The clue "Fingers-in-ears syllables" hints at a nonverbal expression. "LALALA" represents the sound someone might make while plugging their ears to block out unwanted noise, often playfully or mockingly. The repetitive "la" mimics the act of ignoring or refusing to listen, fitting the clue perfectly.

The word "TOP" pairs naturally with "tank" (tank top, a type of sleeveless shirt) and "tip" (tip-top, meaning excellent or at the highest point). These common phrases explain why "TOP" is the fitting solution to the clue.

In wine terminology, "drier" describes a wine with less residual sugar, making it less sweet. The clue "Less sweet, as a wine" directly points to this characteristic, making DRIER the correct answer.

The answer is SELA because Sela Ward is a well-known actress who guest-starred on the TV show House, portraying Stacy Warner, Dr. Gregory House's ex-girlfriend. The clue directly references her last name to arrive at the four-letter solution, SELA.

The word "MEMEWORTHY" describes something highly shareable or attention-grabbing on social media, like an image that invites humorous captions or viral sharing. This fits the clue, as it refers to the widespread trend of creating and spreading memes online using such images.

The word "CENTS" appears on the back of U.S. nickels as part of the phrase "FIVE CENTS," but not on dimes or quarters, which only state their value numerically ("ONE DIME" or "QUARTER DOLLAR"). This subtle detail explains the surprising distinction in the clue.

The clue "Casino calculations" refers to the probability of certain outcomes in gambling games, like roulette or blackjack. These probabilities are commonly expressed as "odds," such as 2-to-1 odds. "ODDS" directly links to the mathematical chances analyzed in casino games.

The word "rendezvoused" means to meet or come together, often by arrangement. "With" in the clue strengthens this meaning. Hence, the answer "MET" is correct, as it represents past-tense "meeting" or coming together, perfectly fitting the definition provided by the clue.

The answer "GLARE" fits the clue "Blinding light" because a glare refers to an intense, harsh light that can momentarily blind or dazzle someone. The word directly conveys the idea of light so bright that it hinders vision, aligning perfectly with the clue's description.

The phrase "upper hand" means having a superior position, control, or benefit in a situation. "ADVANTAGE" is a synonym for this concept, accurately capturing the idea of dominance or a favorable edge, making it the perfect fit for the clue.

The answer "LAID" works for the clue "Put down gently" because it describes placing something softly or carefully, often used to indicate a gentle motion, such as laying an object down without force. The past tense matches the simple phrasing of the clue.

In World of Warcraft, ORCS are a key race known for their green skin and warrior culture. As prominent characters in the game's lore, this matches the clue directly, making ORCS the correct answer.

The clue "Org. with Bulls and Bucks" refers to sports teams, specifically the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. Both are professional basketball teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA). "Org." is an abbreviation for "organization," which clearly fits the NBA as the league governing these teams.

The answer "HURDLE" fits because a hurdle is a physical barrier or obstacle, commonly used in sports like track and field. Metaphorically, it also represents a challenge or difficulty one must overcome—directly aligning with the clue "Obstacle to overcome."

The answer is DRE because "The Chronic" is a classic 1992 rap album by Dr. Dre, a legendary rapper and producer. The clue says "informally," indicating a casual or shortened name, which fits his commonly used name, Dre.

The University of Minnesota's athletic teams are called the "Golden Gophers," making the gopher the school's official animal symbol. This nickname stems from Minnesota's historical association with gophers due to a promotional cartoon from the 1850s, highlighting the state's connection to this animal.

The clue "Fancy-schmancy" is a playful, informal phrase suggesting something luxurious or high-class. "RITZY" directly aligns with this meaning, as it is often used to describe something extravagant, elegant, or upscale—hence a perfect match for this clue.

The clue "[Zzzz]" represents the sound associated with sleeping or being asleep. "Zzzz" is commonly used to depict snoring in a comic or symbolic way. The answer "SNORE" directly relates to this sound, as snoring is a noise often made during sleep.

The answer is ATRIA because "atria" are spacious, open areas typically found in buildings, often featuring glass walls or ceilings to allow natural light. The clue "Light-filled lobbies" directly describes these architectural elements found in many modern structures.

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a globally renowned poker tournament held annually in Las Vegas. Referring to "World Series" in the clue points directly to this specific poker competition, making POKER the correct answer.

The clue "Plates to share, informally" uses wordplay. "Plates" refers to food dishes served in small portions for sharing, which are commonly called appetizers or "APPS" informally. The word "share" highlights the communal nature of such dishes, and the casual tone matches the abbreviation "APPS."

The answer is DORA because the clue refers to "Dora the Explorer," the popular animated character known for her adventurous journeys and interactive lessons. In the show, Dora teaches Spanish words and phrases to young viewers, matching the clue's description of a cartoon explorer who teaches Spanish.

"Crushed, as a test" uses a metaphor. To "ace" a test means to perform exceptionally well, as if "crushing" or dominating it. The past tense "crushed" aligns with the past-tense answer ACED, making it a perfect fit.

The answer "WHO" refers to both the word sung over 100 times in the iconic song "Who Are You" and the band that performs it, The Who. The repetition of "Who" in the song's lyrics makes it a fitting solution, connecting both parts of the clue.

The answer "HUB" fits the clue "Center of activity" because a hub is traditionally the central point in structures like wheels or networks, symbolizing a focal point of activity, communication, or interaction. It metaphorically represents a busy or connected center where things converge or happen.

The answer "PIT" fits due to its double meaning. In a speedway, "pit" refers to the pit stop area where cars are serviced. In the stomach, "pit" refers to the figurative "pit" feeling in one's stomach, often tied to nerves or unease.