*"Let's pick up the pace!" - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue likely refers to "Up" as a hint towards being "at bat" in baseball. When a player is "up," it means they are next to take their turn hitting, a situation referred to as an "at bat." This is a clever play on phrases.

The answer is NURSE because during the 2020 pandemic, particularly with COVID-19, nurses were frontline healthcare workers who played a critical role in treating patients, often risking their own health. The term "hero" aptly describes their dedication and selflessness in such challenging times.

The clue "We're live!" refers to a phrase commonly used in broadcasting to indicate a live transmission. The corresponding studio sign that conveys this is "ON AIR," signaling a live recording or broadcast session. The quotation marks in the clue emphasize that the answer is a phrase.

The clue "Goes" refers to leaving or moving away. "Departs" is a synonym for this definition, meaning to leave or go away from a location. The straightforward wording connects "Goes" to the action of departing, making DEPARTS the correct answer.

The clue specifies "Spanish pronoun," indicating the answer must be in Spanish. ESA is a feminine singular pronoun that means "that" in English, referring to something specific and nearby. It aligns perfectly as a common Spanish pronoun for this straightforward clue.

The answer is SID because "Sid the Science Kid" is a popular educational children's television series. The show, created by PBS Kids, features a curious preschooler named Sid who explores scientific concepts through fun experiments and observations, perfectly aligning with the clue.

The clue "Get an eyeful" hints at looking intensely or openly staring, which aligns with the definition of "GAWK." To "gawk" means to stare in a conspicuous or perhaps rude manner, perfectly matching the idea of "getting an eyeful."

The answer is OREOS because McFlurries, a popular dessert at McDonald's, often include crumbled Oreo cookies as one of their primary ingredients. The clue "Some McFlurry ingredients" specifically hints at components found in this treat, making OREOS an accurate and fitting solution.

The clue "Knocked back a few" refers to the action of drinking alcohol or beverages in a casual context. "Drank" is the past tense of "drink," fitting the phrasing. "Knocked back" colloquially means to consume, and "a few" ties to multiple drinks consumed in the past.

The clue "Bad start?" is wordplay. The question mark indicates a pun or playful interpretation. "Bad start" can mean the start of the word "misfortune" or "mistake," as "mis-" is a prefix indicating something negative or "bad." Hence, MIS is the solution.

The clue "Analyze excessively" directly aligns with the meaning of OVERTHINK. To overthink is to overanalyze a situation or problem, delving into unnecessary or excessive detail. The word "excessively" in the clue specifically signals this overdoing of analysis, perfectly matching the term OVERTHINK.

The answer "DELI" is fitting because a delicatessen, or deli, is a common place where meats and cheeses are thinly sliced for sandwiches or other foods. The "slicer" refers to the slicing machine used in delis to prepare these items.

ESSO is a historical brand name of ExxonMobil, derived from the phonetic pronunciation of "S" and "O" in Standard Oil, the company’s origins. While ESSO is less common in the U.S. now, it remains a recognizable brand in Canada, Europe, and other regions, fitting "ExxonMobil brand."

The answer is NSYNC because "Bye Bye Bye" is a hit song by the American boy band NSYNC. This group, popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, is well-known for this iconic track, which was a major part of their success and pop culture legacy.

"Falcons' grp." refers to a group associated with Falcons. The United States Air Force (USAF) Academy's sports teams are known as the Falcons. Hence, USAF is the correct answer as it represents the organization tied to this nickname.

In Congress, the term "aisle" refers to the physical and metaphorical division between Democrats and Republicans in the chambers. Members are traditionally divided by party, seated on opposite sides of the central aisle. Hence, “AISLE” aptly describes the "Congressional divide."

The clue refers to purchases made within freemium games, meaning optional, virtual items or upgrades bought directly in the app itself rather than externally. "INAPP" is short for "in-app purchases," perfectly describing this type of transaction.

The suffix "ISM" represents a distinctive ideology, belief system, or doctrine (e.g., socialism, capitalism). As "distinctive doctrine" hints at a concept or school of thought, ISM aptly fits as it denotes such categorizations and is commonly used in labeling these doctrines.

The "point of writing" refers to the tip of a writing instrument, such as a pen. The NIB is the pointed metal part of a fountain pen or dip pen that makes contact with paper, making it the "point" where writing occurs. Hence, the answer is NIB.

The clue "So that's how it is" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "I SEE" is a common expression used when someone realizes or understands something, aligning naturally with the conversational tone of the clue.

PTA stands for Parent-Teacher Association, a group of parents and teachers that often organizes school-related events, including after-school activities. The clue specifies "in brief," indicating an abbreviation is used, making PTA the fitting answer.

The answer "TUTU" fits because it refers to the iconic ballet garment. In ballet, performers often wear tutus and frequently dance on tiptoe (en pointe). The wording "You might go on tiptoe in this" hints at the connection to ballet without explicitly stating it.

The clue "Consequences of compliments" hints at the effect that receiving compliments often has—an increase in self-esteem or confidence. This aligns with "ego boosts," which are situations or remarks that improve one's ego or self-worth. The plural "boosts" matches "consequences," solidifying EGOBOOSTS as the answer.

The answer is NATAN because Natan Sharansky is a Soviet-born Israeli human rights activist and politician who wrote the memoir Fear No Evil. The book details his experiences as a political prisoner in the USSR, making NATAN the correct answer.

The answer is EARLE because Steve Earle is a prominent musician known for blending country and rock. "Exit 0" is a 1987 album by Steve Earle and his band, the Dukes, further confirming the connection between the clue and the answer.

The clue "Medicinal amt." refers to a common abbreviation for a standard unit of measurement often used for medicine dosages. "Amt." stands for "amount," and TSP is short for "teaspoon," a typical unit for liquid medicine. Hence, TSP fits perfectly as the solution.

Paul McCartney is a "Sir" because he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his contributions to music. The title "Sir" is a formal address for a knight in the British honors system, making it the correct answer.

The NSA (National Security Agency) is a U.S. government organization specializing in intelligence and cybersecurity. Cryptanalysts, who decipher codes and encrypted communications, are a key part of the NSA's mission to secure and analyze global information. The clue directly describes the NSA through its cryptanalysis operations.

The term "municipality" refers to a city, town, or district with local government. A "minor" one suggests something smaller in scale. A TOWN typically falls below a city in size and governance, fitting the description of a minor municipality perfectly.

At conventions, attendees often wear ID BADGES to identify themselves and gain entry, much like a passport allows access across borders. Thus, "ID BADGE" is a logical and pun-like answer.

NINTH is the solution because in the U.S. educational system, high school typically begins with 9th grade, also called freshman year. The clue specifies "first grade of high school," which corresponds to this grade level, making NINTH the correct and logical answer.

The TUDOR dynasty was an "old royal house" that ruled England from 1485 to 1603. Famous monarchs like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were part of this lineage, making TUDOR a fitting historical reference for this clue.

The clue "Lilac, e.g." refers to a characteristic of lilacs. Lilacs are known for their distinctive and pleasant fragrance, making "SCENT" the most fitting answer, as it directly captures the idea of the aromatic quality associated with lilacs.

The clue "Twinkle-toed" describes someone quick, light, and graceful in movement. AGILE perfectly matches this definition, as it refers to the ability to move easily and nimbly, like someone who might almost "twinkle" on their toes, evoking elegance and quickness.

The phrase "Preceding time" refers to a period or events leading up to a main event or moment. "Run-up" is a term used to describe the preparatory phase or buildup to something significant, making it the perfect match for the clue.

The clue "Solomonic figures" refers to King Solomon, famed for his wisdom. The plural "figures" suggests wise individuals akin to Solomon. Thus, the answer "SAGES" aligns perfectly, as sages are known for their wisdom and insight, embodying the qualities associated with Solomon.

The NINA was one of three caravels used by Christopher Columbus on his 1492 voyage to the Americas, alongside the Pinta and the Santa Maria. This historical connection makes NINA the fitting answer to the clue "1492 caravel."

The answer "ENOS" refers to a biblical figure. According to the Bible, Eve's son Seth had a son named Enos, making Enos the grandson of Eve. This clue relies on knowledge of genealogies in the Book of Genesis in the Bible.

The clue "Get a lode of these!" is a pun. A "lode" refers to a rich vein of mineral deposits in mining. What one extracts from a lode are "ORES," which are minerals containing valuable metals. The wordplay in "Get a lode" hints cleverly at mining and ores.

The phrase "Words sealed with a kiss" refers to the words "I do" said during a wedding ceremony. These words are traditionally followed by a kiss to symbolize the marriage. The clue cleverly ties this romantic gesture to the phrase spoken during the vows.

The phrase "___ blind" is often completed with "rob," forming the idiom "rob blind." This means to steal from someone completely or take everything dishonestly. The clue plays on this common expression to hint at the answer "ROB."

The Atlanta Dream is a team in the W.N.B.A., and "ATL" is the commonly used abbreviation for Atlanta. On scoreboards, teams are often represented by three-letter abbreviations, making "ATL" the correct answer for this clue.