Fighting technique used by [circled letters] (as explained at 76-Across) - NYT The Crossword Clue

RAO is the solution because it refers to Rao's, a well-known brand specializing in high-quality pasta sauces and related products. Rao's is a "big name" in the pasta aisle, recognized for its premium Italian offerings, aligning perfectly with the straightforward clue.

The answer "ELF" fits because elves are commonly depicted in folklore and popular culture, such as Christmas elves or fantasy settings, as wearing pointy shoes. This traditional imagery ties directly to the clue, making "ELF" the logical and accurate solution.

"Task for an office gofer, maybe" hints at a simple, menial duty often assigned to an office assistant or gofer. A "coffee run" is a common errand for gofers, perfectly fitting the clue's intent and tone.

The answer "SERAPE" fits the clue "Colorful wrap" because a serape is a traditional Mexican garment, often brightly colored and striped, used as a shawl or blanket. "Colorful" directly refers to its vibrant designs, and "wrap" describes how it's worn or used.

The clue "Spoke sheepishly?" ends with a question mark, indicating wordplay. "Sheepishly" suggests something related to sheep. Sheep make a "baa" sound, and the past tense of making that sound is "baaed." Hence, "BAAED" is the punny solution for this clue.

The clue asks for a "compound found in marijuana, for short," signaling an abbreviation. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound derived from cannabis. It's non-psychoactive, unlike THC, another compound. The "for short" specifies the abbreviated format, making CBD the concise and correct answer.

In music, a clef is a symbol placed at the beginning of a staff in sheet music to establish the pitch of the notes, effectively "setting the tone" for the piece. This aligns with the clue's figurative phrasing, making CLEF the correct answer.

The clue "Calms" directly aligns with the meaning of the answer "SEDATES." To sedate means to calm or tranquilize, often in a medical or metaphorical sense. The verb form precisely matches the plural action implied by the clue, making "SEDATES" the correct solution.

The answer "BENTS" fits because it refers to natural tendencies, inclinations, or predispositions someone might have. The term aligns with how certain habits or tendencies naturally "bend" a person toward specific actions, interests, or behaviors. This directly matches the meaning of "Natural predispositions" in the clue.

The clue "Builds" is a straightforward definition. The word "ERECTS" means to put something upright or construct, which aligns perfectly with the idea of building or assembling structures. There’s no wordplay or additional hints in this clue—it directly matches the definition.

ARCHES is the solution because it refers to Arches National Park in Utah, renowned for its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch. The clue directly points to a notable national park in the state, making ARCHES the precise answer.

The clue "Here, try a sample" is a spoken phrase indicating an offer to take something small, like a sample. "TAKE ONE" is often seen on signs offering free samples, matching the conversational tone of the clue and perfectly fitting the idea of trying a single item.

The clue refers to types of car transmissions. "Automatic" is one type, and its alternative is "manual." A manual transmission is often called "stick shift" because the driver manually shifts gears using a stick-like gear lever. Thus, STICK is the fitting answer.

MINK is the solution because it is a semiaquatic carnivorous mammal in the weasel family. Found near water, it hunts small animals like fish and frogs, aligning with the clue's description. The concise clue directly points to this well-known predator.

The answer "ECG" stands for "electrocardiogram," a common medical diagnostic tool used to measure the electrical activity of the heart. "Med. diagnostic" is an abbreviation indicating a shortened medical term, matching the abbreviated format of "ECG."

The okapi is the giraffe's closest living relative. Though it looks quite different, both animals belong to the same biological family.

The clue "Show groups" refers to the groups of performers or actors involved in a show, such as a play, movie, or TV program. These groups are traditionally called "casts." Therefore, "casts" is the correct answer as it fits the context of show-related groups.

The answer "TSENG" refers to Yani Tseng, a Taiwanese professional golfer who has achieved significant success, including being the youngest player to win five major championships. The clue directly points to her by name, making "TSENG" the correct answer.

The Jetsons is a popular animated TV series featuring a futuristic family. Their son is named Elroy Jetson. This clue directly references the show, so the solution is ELROY, the well-known child character from the series.

The clue "Attended, as a lecture" suggests being present at or participating in the lecture. "Sat in on" is a common phrase meaning to attend something informally or without active participation, like sitting in on a class or lecture. Hence, the answer is SATINON.

The clue "Temporarily gave" hints at lending something temporarily. "LENT" means gave temporarily, and "TO" specifies direction or recipient. Together, "LENTTO" expresses the act of giving something temporarily to someone or something.

The clue "This goes in one ear" is a playful reference to a QTIP, a cotton swab often used for cleaning ears. The wordplay here lies in the literal interpretation of something physically going "in one ear."

The clue "{1, 2, 3} and {4, 5, 6}" refers to groups or collections, as these are numerical groupings. The answer is "SETS" because it represents organized groups of items or numbers. In this case, each bracketed group forms a set, making "SETS" the apt solution.

The clue refers to something offered instead of returning cash. A "store credit" is commonly given by stores when returning an item, allowing the customer to spend the credited amount in that store. The word "perhaps" signals this is an example of such an alternative.

A group of giraffes is called a tower. The answer provides one of the puzzle's most distinctive and memorable giraffe facts.

The answer "EENSY" fits the clue "Teeny-tiny" because it is a synonym for something very small or minuscule. "Eensy" is often used in combination with "weensy" (e.g., "eensy-weensy") to describe something diminutive, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning.

The clue "Free" refers to something that does not require payment. The phrase "NO COST" directly means "without cost" or "free," making it a fitting solution. It’s a straightforward synonym match with no tricks or wordplay involved.

The answer is "RIP" because it refers to a tear or hole in jeans, which is a common feature, especially in "ripped jeans." The "sometimes-intentional" part highlights that ripped jeans are often a deliberate fashion choice rather than accidental damage.

The answer "BEHELD" works because "Looked upon" refers to perceiving or seeing something. "Beheld" is the past tense of "behold," which means to see or observe, perfectly matching the clue's meaning in a straightforward way.

The clue "I want you to be honest …" is a spoken phrase, signaling the answer is conversational. "Level with me" is a common expression used to ask someone to be truthful or upfront, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning. Hence, LEVELWITHME fits.

The answer is DEVOE because Bell Biv DeVoe is a famous R&B group formed by three members of New Edition: Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe. The clue references this group's name, completing it with "DeVoe."

The clue "Follower of 'x' or 'y'" refers to the Cartesian coordinate system, where "x-axis" and "y-axis" are fundamental components. AXIS follows both "x" and "y" as part of these terms, making it the perfect fit for the answer.

The answer is PITT because it refers to the University of Pittsburgh, a prominent school in Pennsylvania. The clue specifies "for short," indicating the shortened form of the university's name, commonly known as "Pitt" by students, locals, and sports fans.

The clue "Diez minus dos" is in Spanish, indicating the answer should also be in Spanish. "Diez" means 10, and "dos" means 2. Subtracting 2 from 10 results in 8, which is "OCHO" in Spanish. Therefore, the answer is OCHO.

The phrase "Testify" means to provide evidence or confirm something, often in a formal or personal context, such as a courtroom. "Bear witness" directly aligns with this definition, as it means to give testimony or attest to the truth of an event or fact. Hence, BEARWITNESS fits perfectly.

The answer is ADLER because the Adler Planetarium is a real and renowned planetarium located in Chicago, Illinois. It was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and is a prominent cultural and scientific landmark in the city.

The clue "Salt's formula" refers to the chemical composition of common table salt. Its chemical formula is NaCl, which stands for sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl), the two elements that combine to form salt. This straightforward science clue leads directly to the answer "NACL."

The clue "Threads around a forum?" uses wordplay. "Threads" can refer to clothing, and "forum" hints at an ancient Roman forum. In Roman times, a toga was a common garment worn in forums, making TOGA a fitting answer. The question mark signals the pun involving "threads."

The clue "Look at this!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken expression. "TADA" is often exclaimed to draw attention to something impressive or exciting, akin to saying "Look at this!" with a flourish. It captures the energy and context perfectly, making it the right answer.

WASP is an acronym for "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant," which refers to a sociocultural group in the U.S. Therefore, "ANGLO" (short for Anglo-Saxon) is one of the components of this term, making it a fitting answer to "Part of WASP."

The clue "HAHAHAHA!" is in quotes, which signals an expressed reaction. "ROFL" (Rolling On the Floor Laughing) is an internet slang acronym used to describe extreme laughter, matching the tone of "HAHAHAHA!". The clue references an exaggerated laugh, perfectly aligning with the enthusiastic humor conveyed by ROFL.

The clue "Vow" directly connects to OATH, as both represent a solemn promise or pledge, often formal or legally binding. In contexts like courtrooms, weddings, or oaths of office, an OATH is the formalized expression of a Vow, making it the correct solution.

The clue plays on "Ferrari" as a stock ticker symbol. Ferrari trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where its ticker symbol is "RACE." The abbreviation "in brief" signals the answer should also be abbreviated, making NYSE the correct solution.

The clue "Tot's injuries" refers to minor wounds or scrapes a small child ("tot") might get. The informal and childlike tone suggests a playful or babyish term. "Owies" fits perfectly, as it is a common, cute way children refer to little pains or injuries.

The clue "Price for a return, perhaps?" uses wordplay. "Return" here refers to the retrieval of something or someone, such as a kidnapped person. The "price" for their return would be a RANSOM, often paid to secure their release. It's a clever, figurative use of "return."

FILA is the correct answer because it is a globally recognized athletic footwear and apparel brand, known for producing sneakers. The clue directly references "Sneaker brand," and FILA fits perfectly as it is a prominent name in the athletic shoe market.

The answer "EMIGRE" refers to a person who leaves their country, often for political reasons, making them a political exile. The term originates from the French word for "emigrant," commonly associated with those fleeing during events like the French Revolution. The clue directly points to this definition.

Acacia trees are a favorite food source for giraffes, whose long necks and tongues help them reach leaves high above the ground.

The clue "Audibly shocked" suggests an emotional response that can be heard, such as gasping. "AGASP" perfectly fits as it describes someone who is literally gasping aloud in shock. The "A-" prefix often functions to emphasize or describe a state, making this answer fitting.

The clue "Big garage, essentially" uses wordplay. A hangar is a large structure where aircraft are stored, essentially acting as a "big garage" for planes. The comparison makes this the perfect fit based on the clue's hint of something large and functional for storage.

Save-the-date cards inform guests of an upcoming event to reserve the date. After that, formal invitations (INVITES) are sent to provide further details like time, location, and RSVP instructions, logically following the save-the-date announcement in event planning. Hence, INVITES fits as the answer.

The clue "Tone" refers to a quality or variation of color. "Hue" is a synonym for a shade or type of color, often associated with "tone" in artistic or descriptive contexts. Both words relate to the gradation or variation in color.

The clue "Memo abbr." asks for a common abbreviation used in memos. ATTN stands for "attention," which is frequently used in memos to direct a document to a specific person or group. It fits perfectly as an abbreviation for this context.

The answer is BYTE because in computing, a byte is a unit of digital information typically consisting of eight bits. A "bit" is the smallest unit of data (binary digit, 0 or 1), and grouping eight bits forms a byte. Hence, "Eight bits" precisely defines a BYTE.

The clue "Nutty extract" uses wordplay. "Nutty" hints at almonds (a type of nut), and "extract" refers to an oil derived from it. ALMONDOIL fits as it is an extract made from almonds, aligning perfectly with the clue's literal and pun-based interpretation.

The clue specifies "French for 'yellow'," indicating the answer is the French word for this color. In French, the word for "yellow" is "jaune." This aligns with the language indicator in the clue and confirms that JAUNE is correct.

The clue "Tick off" can mean to irritate or annoy someone, which aligns with causing ANGER. It's a simple synonym relationship—if someone ticks you off, they make you angry, making ANGER the fitting solution.

The answer "SEPIA" refers to a filter option commonly used in photography or photo-editing apps. It gives images a warm, brownish tone reminiscent of vintage photographs. The clue is straightforward, pointing to a well-known photo filter effect named after the natural sepia pigment.

The answer is ATOMANT because Atom Ant is a tiny superhero from the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon. His catchphrase, "Up and at ’em, Atom Ant!" is a play on words with his name and reflects his heroic actions despite his small stature, fitting the description perfectly.

The phrase "GETS LIT" is slang for becoming wild, fun, or energetic—often in the context of a lively party. It matches the clue by describing how a party "becomes wild," tying directly to the modern usage of "lit" to mean exciting or intense.

The clue refers to the giraffe's distinctive coat pattern. No two giraffes have exactly the same arrangement of spots.

The answer "ARENT I" works as a self-reflective question because it literally spells out a questioning statement one might ask about themselves, "Aren't I?" The clue's question mark hints at this playful wordplay, forming a phrase that fits the clue perfectly.

The clue refers to removing the snaps often found on a baby's onesie. To "start to take off" a onesie, the first step is undoing these snaps. "Unsnap" perfectly describes this action, aligning with the context of the clue.

The clue "Practically speechless?" uses a pun. "Practically" hints at an impaired ability, and "speechless" suggests issues with voice. Someone who is "HOARSE" has a rough voice due to strain or illness, making them nearly unable to speak clearly—thus "practically speechless."

The clue "Spelling bee?" is a pun. While it appears to refer to a bee-related competition, "Spelling" hints at witches casting "spells." A group of witches is called a COVEN, making this the clever answer connecting magic (spells) and the bee pun.

The answer is PEABO because Peabo Bryson was a renowned singer, particularly famous for his R&B and soul music. He was known for his hit duets like "A Whole New World" and "Beauty and the Beast". The clue references him directly by his last name, Bryson.

The YouTube "pause" button is represented by two vertical parallel lines. These lines symbolize stopping or pausing the video, matching the answer "PAUSE." The clue straightforwardly describes the visual representation of this button on YouTube’s interface.

The answer "CAPE" fits because superheroes are commonly depicted wearing capes as part of their iconic costumes. The clue specifies "Bit of superhero wear," pointing to a specific piece of attire typically associated with superheroes, making CAPE an apt and straightforward solution.

The answer is YODA because in the Star Wars universe, Yoda is a wise Jedi Master whose species and homeworld are mysterious and never revealed throughout the films, series, or other official content. This makes him the perfect fit for this clue.

The phrase "You reap what you ___" completes as "You reap what you sow." This is a common proverb meaning your future results or consequences depend on your current actions. "Sow" refers to planting seeds, which metaphorically aligns with actions having future outcomes, just as crops grow after sowing.

The answer is TET because it refers to the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, known as "Tet Nguyen Dan," where "Tet" translates to "festival" or "feast" in Vietnamese. This important holiday marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated with feasts, traditions, and family gatherings.

The answer "ORK" refers to the fictional planet where Mork, a character from the TV show Mork & Mindy (1978–1982), originates. Mork, famously played by Robin Williams, was an alien from the planet Ork who traveled to Earth. This aligns with the clue referencing Mork’s home planet.

The clue "Indeed" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken response or expression. "TIS" is an archaic or poetic form of "it is," often used to affirm something, which matches the meaning of "Indeed" as an affirmative statement. Thus, TIS fits perfectly.