Track-and-field event with a sandpit ... or a hint to the ends of 17-, 23- and 51-Across - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Hoodwink" means to deceive or trick someone. "SCAM" fits perfectly as it signifies a fraudulent scheme or deception, aligning with the idea of tricking or hoodwinking someone. Both terms share the concept of dishonesty or deceit.

The clue "Vibe" refers to a type of intangible energy or atmosphere surrounding a person, place, or thing. The word "AURA" perfectly describes this concept, as it implies an unseen but felt presence or mood, aligning with the meaning of "vibe."

The clue "Beer pong venue, maybe" uses "maybe" to signal a possibility rather than certainty. Fraternity houses, or "FRATHOUSE," are commonly associated with college social activities like beer pong, making it a fitting, though not exclusive, answer for this clue.

The answer "EBB" fits because it means to recede or flow out, often used to describe the tide moving away from the shore. The clue "Flow out" directly defines this natural backward movement, making "EBB" a precise and fitting solution.

The answer "APPLE" refers to the fruit traditionally associated with the Garden of Eden story in the Bible, where Adam and Eve are said to have eaten the forbidden fruit. While the Bible doesn’t specify the fruit, art and literature have commonly depicted it as an apple.

The clue "Brilliant at negotiating" suggests someone clever, insightful, or sharp in dealing with situations or people. "Shrewd" perfectly describes such a person, adept at assessing and managing negotiations smartly and effectively. It fits both the meaning and nuanced tone of the clue.

The answer is KOI because koi are a type of brightly colored ornamental fish commonly kept in decorative ponds. Known for their vibrant patterns and symbolism of good fortune in many cultures, koi are specifically bred for their beauty, which makes them a perfect match for the clue.

The answer "INN" completes "Holiday ___" because it references the well-known hotel chain, Holiday Inn. "Inn" is also a type of lodging place, fitting the clue's context. The straightforward nature of the clue points to this widely recognized connection.

NYG is the abbreviation for the New York Giants, an NFL team that plays its home games at MetLife Stadium. On scoreboards, teams are typically displayed using their abbreviations, and "NYG" represents the Giants for New York.

The clue "Get rid (of)" directly matches the definition of DISPOSE, which means to eliminate or discard something. The parenthetical "(of)" aids in aligning the verb usage, as "dispose of" specifically means to get rid of or remove.

The clue "Goodbye, mes amis" includes French ("mes amis" means "my friends" in French), signaling the answer is in French. "Adieu" is a French word meaning "goodbye," fitting the clue perfectly. It’s a formal farewell, aligning with the tone of "mes amis."

The phrase "Live and learn" is a common expression meaning that people gain knowledge and wisdom through life experiences. The clue "Live and ___" prompts the second word to complete this well-known phrase, making the solution "LEARN."

The "face with steam from nose" emoji depicts anger or frustration. The phrase "I'm mad" directly interprets this emotional state in words. The clue's use of "suggests" signals a representation, making IMMAD the appropriate solution.

The answer is SAM because Sam is the name of the piano player in the classic film Casablanca. He is a central character who performs the iconic song "As Time Goes By" at Rick's Café Américain, making him instantly recognizable in the context of the film.

The word "Compel" means to force or require someone to do something, which aligns with the definition of "OBLIGE." To oblige someone is to compel them out of duty, necessity, or obligation, making OBLIGE the fitting answer to this clue.

The clue "Pick, with 'for'" points to a word used when making a choice or selection. "Opt" is a verb meaning to choose or decide on something, often expressed as "opt for" in usage, directly matching the phrasing and intent of the clue.

The clue "Elbow's place" directly refers to the part of the human body where the elbow is located. The elbow is a joint connecting the upper and lower parts of the arm, making ARM the correct answer. It’s a straightforward anatomical reference.

In chess, "castling" is a special move involving the King and a Rook. It's the only move where two pieces move simultaneously. The clue refers to the partnership in this move, making "ROOK" the correct answer as it pairs with the King during castling.

The answer "DOVES" works because doves are universally recognized as symbols of peace. This stems from cultural and religious traditions, like the biblical story of a dove bringing an olive branch after the flood, symbolizing hope and harmony. The clue "Birds of peace" aligns directly with this imagery.

The answer is ABBA because they are a famous Swedish pop group whose compilation album Gold: Greatest Hits is extremely popular. It is the second-best-selling album in U.K. history, showcasing their iconic hits like "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia." The clue directly points to their legendary status.

The answer "TRAM" fits because Disneyland uses trams to transport visitors between parking areas and park entrances. The clue is straightforward, referring to a common mode of transport associated with theme parks, making "TRAM" the correct solution for "Disneyland transport."

The clue "Unprecedented" suggests something that has never happened before. "A FIRST" directly fits as it denotes the very first occurrence of an event, making it unprecedented. The phrasing breaks into "A" and "FIRST" to emphasize its uniqueness or novelty.

The answer "LACED" fits the clue "Fastened, as a corset or shoe" because both corsets and shoes are tightened or secured by threading laces through eyelets and tying them. To "lace" something refers to this act of fastening, making it the perfect match for the clue.

The term "SHORTFUSE" is used metaphorically to describe someone with a quick temper, prone to becoming explosively angry or upset with little provocation—hence the "explosive" personality trait. "Short fuse" refers to something that ignites rapidly, aligning with the clue's wordplay.

The clue "Continental money" refers to the primary currency used in much of Europe, often called "the Continent." The euro (€) is the official currency of 20 European Union countries, making it the correct answer for this clue.

The clue "Greater ___" suggests a comparative phrase. "Than" commonly follows "greater" to form "greater than," a comparison indicating something surpasses another in size, amount, or degree. It's a logical and grammatically correct completion of the clue, fitting the standard phrase structure.

The clue "Grandma, affectionately" signals a familiar or endearing term for a grandmother. "NANA" is a common, affectionate nickname used for grandmothers in English-speaking families, perfectly fitting the clue.

The clue "Spreading unchecked" suggests something widespread or uncontrollable. "Rampant" fits because it means something flourishing or spreading without restraint, often in an excessive or unchecked manner. It directly aligns with the idea of spreading unchecked in this context.

The answer "SOY" fits because miso, a Japanese seasoning, is traditionally made from fermented soybeans. The clue directly refers to the main ingredient of miso, making SOY the correct and straightforward solution.

In soccer, "nil" is commonly used to refer to a score of zero, especially in British English. For example, a score of 1-0 would be said as "one-nil." The clue directly hints at this terminology, making "NIL" the correct answer.

The clue refers to The Roku Channel, Hulu, and others, which are platforms used to stream television content. These services are commonly accessed through applications specifically designed for TVs or streaming devices. Hence, the answer "TVAPPS" (short for TV applications) aptly describes them.

The clue "Little specifics, in slang" points to the informal abbreviation "DEETS," short for "details." Both "little" and "specifics" imply small pieces of information, and "in slang" indicates casual, shortened language, making DEETS the perfect fit.

The answer is ORTHO because it’s an informal shorthand for orthodontics, a dental specialty focused on correcting teeth and jaw alignment. The clue specifies "informally," signaling a shortened or colloquial term, which matches ORTHO.

The Outer Banks are a chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, making "OUTER" the correct term to complete the clue. The name refers to their position as the outermost landforms along the shoreline, fitting the description in the clue.

The clue "Narrow backstreet" describes a small, confined roadway commonly found in urban areas. An "ALLEY" perfectly fits this description, as it refers to a narrow passageway or street between buildings, especially in densely built-up areas. It's a straightforward match for the definition provided.

The answer is UAE because Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and "for short" in the clue indicates an abbreviation. UAE is the commonly used abbreviation for the United Arab Emirates.

The answer "OMIT" fits because it directly means "to leave out" or "exclude." In the context of the clue, "Leave out" is asking for a synonym, and "OMIT" perfectly matches this definition, capturing the idea of intentionally excluding something. It's a straightforward, literal match.

The clue "Transcript figs." refers to the numerical values commonly listed on academic transcripts: GPAs (Grade Point Averages). These figures represent a student's academic performance, making "GPAS" the solution. The abbreviation "figs." signals that the answer is also abbreviated.

The answer is TIM because Tim Cook is the longtime Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of Apple Inc., a major tech company. He succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011 and has since been a prominent figure in the technology industry. The blank in the clue refers to his first name, Tim.

The Greek alphabet sequence places "rho" (Ρ, ρ) directly before "sigma" (Σ, σ). Since the clue asks for the letter preceding sigma, the answer is RHO. This is a straightforward alphabetical reference, common in crossword puzzles involving Greek letters.

The answer "IOU" represents a written acknowledgment of debt, often informal. As a "Debtor's note," it spells out "I owe you," directly aligning with the clue. It's a fitting and concise expression of a promise to repay, commonly used in financial or personal contexts.

In boxing, a "jab" is a quick, straight punch using the lead hand. The clue "Boxing punch" directly describes this fundamental boxing move, making JAB the precise and straightforward answer. It fits both the definition and the brevity typical of crossword solutions.