*Knack for success - NYT The Crossword Clue

The answer is SLAM because in professional wrestling, a "takedown" often involves a dramatic move where an opponent is forcefully thrown to the mat, commonly referred to as a "slam." The term fits both the sport's physical action and the clue's straightforward language.

The clue "Halt, to a horse" implies a command given to a horse to stop. "Whoa" is the verbal command traditionally used by riders to signal a horse to halt. The phrasing of the clue matches this straightforward directive, making WHOA the correct answer.

The clue "You've ___ this!" includes a blank that calls for a word completing a common phrase. "You've got this!" is an encouraging expression meaning "You can handle it" or "You can do it." "Got" fits perfectly, making it the correct answer.

The answer "POLOS" fits because polo shirts are commonly worn as business-casual attire. They're lightweight, breathable, and short-sleeved, making them ideal for summer. The clue specifies “tops,” confirming it refers to a type of shirt, and polos are a quintessential choice for both comfort and style in such settings.

The word Devout means deeply religious or showing strong commitment to faith, which directly aligns with the definition of PIOUS. Both describe someone reverent and sincere in their beliefs or religious practices, making PIOUS the correct answer.

The answer "ONE" refers to the Beatles' compilation album titled 1, which features 27 of their songs that reached number one on various charts. The album's name highlights these chart-topping hits, making "ONE" a fitting solution for the clue.

The answer "ALEVE" fits because it is a well-known over-the-counter pain relief medication. The clue uses "Big name" to highlight its widespread recognition as a brand, and "pain relief" directly points to its purpose as an anti-inflammatory drug used to alleviate pain.

Peter Higgs is a physicist renowned for predicting the existence of the Higgs field and the Higgs boson particle, key components in particle physics. Both are named after him due to his groundbreaking work explaining how particles acquire mass, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013.

The DEA, or Drug Enforcement Administration, is a U.S. federal agency that combats drug trafficking and distribution. "Anti-trafficking" in the clue refers to its role in targeting illegal drug trade, and "agcy." is a shorthand for "agency," pointing to a well-known organization like the DEA.

The answer "MADS" fits the clue "Makes angry, old-style" because "MADS" is an archaic or less common way of expressing "makes angry" or "enrages." The phrase leverages old-style language, reflecting how emotions like anger were phrased in earlier periods.

The clue "Reveal" directly connects to the phrase "LET ON," which means to disclose or reveal something. It's a straightforward synonym clue, where "reveal" and "let on" share similar meanings of exposing or divulging information.

The phrase "still on the run" refers to someone who has escaped or evaded capture and remains free. "At large" is a common term used to describe fugitives or criminals who have not been apprehended—hence, it perfectly aligns with the clue.

BRAT is short for bratwurst, a type of sausage commonly grilled at events like tailgating parties. Tailgating is associated with casual outdoor grilling, and bratwurst is a popular, hearty choice among such foods, making this answer fitting for the clue.

A meal ticket is something that reliably provides income or financial security. It fits the theme because it's another familiar phrase made from an M-word followed by a T-word, matching the revealer's "M-T words" hint.

A farrier is a craftsman who shoes horses. "Do more work on" implies repeating their task. If a horse's shoes need replacing or adjusting, the farrier would "RESHOE" the horse, meaning to fit it with new shoes. This perfectly matches the clue.

The answer is SLOTH because it refers to a real animal known for its extremely slow movement. Sloths are arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammals that spend most of their time in trees, moving leisurely through branches. The clue directly describes the behavior and habitat of this creature.

The answer is ANSEL because Ansel Adams (1902–1984) was a renowned American photographer famous for his black-and-white landscape photographs, particularly of the American West, including Yosemite National Park. His work is iconic in photography, making "Ansel" a fitting answer to the clue.

The clue "Green-lights" refers to giving permission or approval, often metaphorically linked to a green traffic light signaling "go." The answer, OKS, fits as it is a shorthand for "approves" or "gives the go-ahead," aligning perfectly with the meaning of the clue.

The answer is HIPPO because the term "river horse" is a translation of the Greek word "hippopotamus." Despite their bulky, seemingly calm appearance, hippos are incredibly dangerous due to their aggressive behavior and territorial nature, fitting the "surprisingly dangerous" description in the clue.

The clue uses wordplay with "breaking point" hinting at "time-out," a moment to pause and prevent breakdown. A "warning before" stopping play in some sports is "a doubt" about continuing, phonetically resembling "ADOUT." It’s a pun on “a doubt” as a prelude to a time-out or breaking point!

The clue "Fund-raising drive participants" refers to individuals actively contributing to a financial campaign. "DONORS" is the correct answer because they are the people who donate money, supplies, or resources during such drives. The word "participants" directly hints at individuals engaged in the process, aligning perfectly with "DONORS."

Mister Toad is the thrill-seeking character from The Wind in the Willows, famous for his reckless love of motorcars. The answer also fits the theme as another phrase with M and T initials.

The clue "Mothers in a flock" refers to adult female sheep, which are called EWES. The term "flock" is often used to describe a group of sheep, and "mothers" specifically points to the female sheep that can bear lambs. Hence, EWES is the correct answer.

The clue "Plans (to)" suggests an action or purpose-oriented intent. "INTENDS" means having a plan or purpose to do something, perfectly aligning with the clue. The parenthetical "(to)" further emphasizes future intention or a directed action, making INTENDS the right fit.

In computing, the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V is universally used for the "Paste" action. It refers to inserting or placing copied or cut content (text, images, etc.) into a selected area. Thus, "PASTE" is the accurate solution for the clue "Ctrl+V action."

The clue "Dragon's den" refers to the place where a dragon resides. A "lair" is a resting or hiding place for a wild animal, fitting the mythical image of a dragon's secretive dwelling. Therefore, LAIR is the perfect match for this clue.

The revealer works as a pun. Empty words usually means meaningless remarks, but "empty" is pronounced like the letters M-T, hinting that every starred answer is an M-word followed by a T-word.

The prefix "omni-" is derived from Latin and translates to "all" or "every." It denotes universality or inclusiveness, as seen in words like "omnipresent" (present everywhere) or "omniscient" (all-knowing). Thus, the answer "ALL" perfectly defines what "omni-" means.

The clue "Easily broken" describes something delicate or weak. The word "FRAIL" directly means physically weak, fragile, or prone to breaking, aligning perfectly with the clue. It captures the sense of vulnerability or lack of durability, making it the fitting answer.

IONIA is the correct answer because it was an important ancient Greek region situated along the central part of the western coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) by the Aegean Sea. It was known for its rich culture, philosophy, and thriving cities such as Ephesus and Miletus.

The clue "Rolled randomizer" refers to an object that, when rolled, generates a random outcome. This perfectly describes a DIE, a single cube marked with numbers or dots, commonly used in games of chance. The word "randomizer" hints at its role in producing unpredictable results.

The clue "Like some martinis and jokes" refers to the word DIRTY. A "dirty martini" is a cocktail made with olive brine, giving it a "dirty" flavor profile. "Dirty jokes" are inappropriate or risqué humor. The shared descriptor "dirty" connects both martinis and jokes, making it the correct answer.

The clue "Sweat ___" refers to a body part responsible for producing sweat. Sweat is secreted by sweat glands, which are small organs in the skin that regulate body temperature and help in cooling. Thus, "GLAND" completes the phrase logically as the answer.

The clue "Sure thing!" in quotes signals a spoken or conversational phrase. "Yes" is a common, affirmative response expressing certainty or agreement, fitting perfectly. It aligns with the idea of confirming something as a "sure thing!"

The answer is ANTS because ants live and work together in colonies, performing specialized roles like foraging, building, and caring for the queen and larvae. The clue refers to their societal structure where every ant is a "worker" within their organized colony system, aptly fitting the description.

The clue "Made haste" refers to moving quickly or rushing. The past tense form of "speed" is "sped," which directly means to move fast or make haste. Therefore, "SPED" accurately aligns with the clue, both in meaning and tense consistency.