Race to the top - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue, "Item that's not on the list, say," hints at something unplanned or spur-of-the-moment. An impulse buy refers to purchasing something unexpectedly, not originally included on a shopping list. The phrase perfectly matches the pun-like nature of the clue with "say" indicating an example.

The clue "Shelling" refers to the act of bombarding or firing shells, specifically in a military context. "Mortar fire" involves launching explosive shells using a mortar weapon, making it synonymous with "shelling." Therefore, MORTARFIRE is a precise and fitting answer for this clue.

The phrase "PLEADS IGNORANCE" fits the clue "Claims not to have known" because it describes someone asserting they were unaware of something, often as a defense or justification. "Pleads" implies an appeal or claim, and "ignorance" refers to lack of knowledge, aligning perfectly with the clue's intent.

The clue "Many sci-fi villains, informally" refers to extraterrestrials (ETs), common antagonists in science fiction. "ETS" is the informal, abbreviated form of "extraterrestrials," fittingly describing these alien villains often portrayed in sci-fi stories as threats to humanity. Therefore, ETS is the correct answer.

"IS IT?" is a common skeptical or surprised response to a claim, perfectly matching the context of questioning something's validity or truth, aligning with the conversational nature of the clue.

The TSETSE fly is a bloodsucking insect native to Africa, known for transmitting the parasite Trypanosoma, which causes sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis) in humans and animals. Its direct role as a disease vector makes it the clear answer to this clue.

The clue hints at a metaphorical or legal concept with "so to speak." AMNESTY is an official pardon, often granted to individuals or groups, essentially functioning as a "get-out-of-jail-free card" by forgiving crimes and releasing them from legal consequences.

The clue "Nurse's tote" refers to a bag or container a nurse would carry. "Kit" is a term often used for a set of supplies or tools, such as a first aid kit, which a nurse might carry to provide care, making it a fitting answer.

ELIA is the pseudonym of Charles Lamb, a 19th-century British essayist. Lamb used "ELIA" for his collection Essays of Elia, where this specific quote can be found. The connection between the pseudonym and the essayist makes ELIA the correct answer.

SEAMY describes something sordid, disreputable, or morally degraded, often associated with the "seamy side" of life. The phrase suggests a lack of respectability, perfectly aligning with the clue "Not looking reputable."

The answer "ALLIES" fits because allies are people who actively support and advocate for the rights and well-being of L.G.B.T.Q.+ individuals, even if they are not part of the community themselves. It directly matches the clue, which asks for supporters of this group.

The answer "BIRDS OF PARADISE" fits because it cleverly plays on the dual nature of the clue. Birds of paradise are exotic tropical animals (fauna), but the term is also used for the stunning tropical flowers (flora) of the same name. This dual meaning aligns perfectly with the clue's wording.

The answer "ONUS" is a direct synonym for "Burden." Both words refer to a responsibility, obligation, or duty that one must bear, making ONUS the perfect fit for the clue. No extra wordplay or specialized rules are involved here.

The clue "Elapsed" refers to something that has passed or moved by in the context of time. "WENT" effectively captures this idea, as it is the past tense of "go," which conveys the passage or movement of time.

The term "DOA" stands for "Dead on Arrival," often used to describe something that fails immediately or has no chance of progressing—similar to a "nonstarter." The clue specifies "for short," indicating an abbreviation like DOA fits perfectly.

The clue refers to Elle Woods, the main character in Legally Blonde: The Musical, a Broadway adaptation of the hit movie. Elle Woods is a central figure in the show, making "Elle" the correct answer for "Woods seen on Broadway."

NAAN is the solution because it is a type of flatbread commonly served with curry in Indian cuisine. It is a classic accompaniment, used to scoop up the curry or enjoy alongside it, making it a natural and culturally accurate answer to the clue.

The clue "Pros in Washington?" uses a pun, playing on "pros" sounding like "yes" when spoken. In Washington, particularly in Congress, "yeas" signify affirmative votes, corresponding to "yes." Hence, "YEAS" cleverly ties to the idea of affirmative responses in a governmental context.

"Spec" is short for "speculation," meaning articles might be written based on projected ideas or theories without concrete evidence. Hence, "on spec" cleverly fits the clue's playful tone.

The clue "Device in many a garage" refers to a mechanical device commonly found in garages that automates the opening and closing of garage doors. The answer, DOOROPENER, fits perfectly as it is a standard tool installed in garages for this purpose, matching the clue’s description directly.

The clue "Play pieces?" with a question mark signals wordplay. Here, "pieces" refers to components, and "play" indicates a theatrical production. The "pieces" of a play are its visual elements, such as its set designs, which create the setting for the performance. Hence, the answer is SETDESIGNS.

The clue "Former Medicare IDs" refers to how Medicare cards previously used Social Security Numbers (SSNs) as identifiers. However, due to privacy concerns, these were replaced with a new, unique Medicare Beneficiary Identifier. Hence, SSNS fits as the answer for "former" Medicare IDs.

"Mode" in mathematics refers to a statistical measure—the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. The term "STAT" is short for "statistics," making it a fitting category that includes "mode" as one type of statistical measure. Hence, the answer is STAT.

In sports, particularly golf, "the yips" refers to a sudden inability to perform simple, previously automatic actions under pressure. It's a "choking cause" because it disrupts confidence and motor skills during critical moments. This fits the clue's context perfectly.

The answer "INHD" refers to "in high definition." High-definition broadcasts offer very clear picture quality compared to standard definition, making the telecast "very clear." This matches the clue's description directly, as it points to modern high-resolution TV broadcasting technology.

"Oil alternative" refers to types of paint. Tempera is a painting medium historically used before oil paint became popular, made by mixing pigments with a binder like egg yolk. It serves as an alternative to oil paint in art, making TEMPERA the correct answer.

The phrase "hit out at" is commonly used to mean strongly criticizing or attacking someone verbally. The clue directly points to this phrase, where "hit out" aligns with "strongly criticize," and the inclusion of "at" in the clue confirms the connection.

A "woofer" is the speaker in a sound system that produces low-frequency (bass) sounds. It cleverly "plays" bass, making it a fitting, playful answer to the clue.

The clue "Whimpers like a baby" describes a soft, weak crying sound, which aligns with "MEWLS." "Mewls" refers to feeble, high-pitched cries, often likened to those of a baby or kitten, perfectly matching the imagery of the clue.

The clue "Who knew?!" includes quotation marks, signaling it’s a spoken reaction. "GEE" is an expression of surprise or amazement, aligning perfectly with the exclamation "Who knew?!". It's a concise way to convey astonishment or disbelief, making it the logical solution.

The Gibb brothers—Barry, Robin, and Maurice—were members of the Bee Gees, a legendary pop group active from the 1960s to the 1980s. Known for their iconic harmonies and disco hits like "Stayin' Alive," their surname, GIBB, answers the clue referring to famous "Brothers" pop stars.

The answer "OKIE" refers to people from Oklahoma, often associated with migrants during the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. Many of John Steinbeck's characters, like those in The Grapes of Wrath, are Okies, displaced farmers seeking better lives, aligning with the theme of his classic works.

The clue "Dramatic 'Not you, too?'" refers to the famous line "Et tu, Brute?" from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. It translates as "And you, Brutus?" and conveys betrayal. The dramatic phrase "Et tu" fits both the tone and meaning of the clue.

The answer "MERE" fits the clue "Nothing but" because "mere" means something that is bare or minimal, emphasizing something as "only" or "nothing more than." It aligns with the expression "nothing but" to signify triviality or simplicity.

The answer "HUG" fits "Hold close" because a hug is a physical gesture where someone embraces another, literally holding them closely. The clue directly points to this intimate and caring action, making it a simple and straightforward solution.

The clue "Bass or base" plays on the dual meanings of "low." Bass refers to low-pitched sounds or voices in music, while base can mean a low point or position. Both meanings align with "low," making it the fitting answer.