Begin to grow choppers - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Add some seasoning to" directly hints at enhancing the flavor of food. SALT is a common seasoning used to achieve this. Here, "add" and "seasoning" both clearly point to SALT as the straightforward answer.

The answer "TBIRD" refers to the Ford Thunderbird, the iconic car driven in Thelma & Louise. Informally, the Thunderbird is often called "T-Bird," which matches the casual tone of the clue. This car's distinct role in the film makes it a memorable reference.

The answer "RAGER" fits the clue "Wild party" as it is a colloquial term used to describe a loud, energetic, and sometimes chaotic event or party. "RAGER" specifically conveys the wild, untamed atmosphere implied by the clue.

The clue "Faith no more?" with a question mark suggests wordplay. "Faith no more" implies the absence of faith, and ATHEISM is the lack or rejection of belief in a deity or religion, effectively meaning "no faith."

The clue "More than damp" suggests a progression in moisture levels. While "damp" refers to slight moisture, "wet" implies being completely saturated or soaked. Thus, "wet" logically fits as it represents a state beyond just being damp.

NEW ERA is a prominent brand specializing in baseball caps, particularly the official on-field caps for Major League Baseball (MLB). The clue, "Big name in baseball caps," directly refers to this well-known company, making NEWERA the correct and logical solution.

The answer "ALIG" refers to "Ali G," one of Sacha Baron Cohen's well-known comedic personas. Ali G is a satirical character—an exaggerated portrayal of a British "wanna-be" gangster, known for his distinct slang, tracksuits, and humorous interviews with public figures.

In Morse code, "dahs" refer to dashes ("–"), while their counterparts are "dits," representing dots ("."). Together, dits and dahs form the basic components of Morse code signals, used to encode letters and numbers. Hence, DITS is the correct answer.

The clue "And more like that: Abbr." hints at an abbreviation that represents "and so on" or "and others." The abbreviation "ETC" stands for the Latin phrase "et cetera," meaning "and the rest" or "and more like that," making it the correct answer.

The clue "Put back on the payroll" directly implies the act of employing someone again after they've left or been let go. The term REHIRE specifically means to re-employ or hire again, perfectly aligning with the clue's wording.

The clue asks what search engine optimization (SEO) aims to improve. The goal of SEO is to make content rank higher on search engines, attracting more visitors to a website. "PAGEVIEWS" measures how often web pages are viewed, making it the perfect answer.

The answer is CHAMELEON because this creature is well-known for its ability to change the color of its skin, allowing it to blend into its surroundings for camouflage. This natural adaptation makes "blends into its surroundings" an accurate description of a chameleon.

The answer "SIPS" fits because the word implies drinking in small, delicate amounts, aligning perfectly with the idea of "daintily." It suggests a refined or careful manner of consuming a beverage, which matches the clue's description. The brevity of "SIPS" also matches common crossword formatting.

The word "Prognosticator" refers to someone who predicts or foresees future events. A SEER is commonly associated with prophecy, foresight, or vision, making it a perfect synonym for "Prognosticator." The connection lies in their shared meaning of foretelling the future.

The clue "Young ’uns" refers to small children or toddlers, often colloquially called "tots." It captures the informal, playful tone of the phrase "young ones," which aligns perfectly with "tots" as a shorthand term for them.

The answer "VCRS" refers to Video Cassette Recorders, which were essential devices in home theaters for playing and recording VHS tapes before DVDs and streaming became common. "Bygone" indicates they are no longer widely used, and "informally" shortens it to VCRS instead of the full term.

The clue "Utter delight" refers to extreme joy or happiness. The word "GLEE" directly means great delight or mirth, making it a perfect synonym. It captures the essence of overwhelming happiness or jubilation, aligning seamlessly with the clue. No wordplay or additional layers here — it's a straightforward definition.

The clue "Item for a painter or hairstylist" points to a tool commonly used by both professions. Painters use brushes to apply paint, while hairstylists use brushes to style or detangle hair. The shared utility of a "BRUSH" makes it the perfect answer for this dual-purpose clue.

The answer "BUS" fits the clue "Vehicle to and from school" because a school bus is a widely recognized mode of transportation specifically used for taking students to and from school. The clue is straightforward, with "vehicle" pointing to a mode of transport and "school" to its purpose.

The phrase "barely get, with 'out'" suggests managing something with difficulty or just enough. "Eke out" is a common expression meaning to scrape by or make something last with effort. Thus, "EKE" fits perfectly as the solution.

"Not thinking" implies operating automatically, without conscious effort. "On this" hints at a system controlling actions. AUTOPILOT, a system that controls a vehicle automatically, fits perfectly as it metaphorically describes someone mentally "checked out" or not actively thinking.

The answer is SPACERACE because during the 1950s-’60s, the U.S. and Soviet Union competed intensely to achieve superiority in space exploration. This rivalry, driven by Cold War tensions, led to milestones like the Soviets’ Sputnik and the U.S. moon landing, encapsulating the term "Space Race."

The phrase "Get-up-and-go" refers to energy, enthusiasm, or vigor. PEP is a synonym for this, commonly used to describe liveliness or spirited energy, aptly matching the clue's meaning. It's a concise, energetic word that perfectly fits the context of the clue.

The clue uses conversational phrasing with "It's a shame, really!", mimicking an expression of sorrow or sympathy. "PITY" directly aligns with this sentiment, as it represents a feeling of regret or compassion for someone’s misfortune, aptly matching the tone and intent of the clue.

The answer is ORC because Orcs are monstrous, evil creatures featured prominently in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. They are depicted as violent and grotesque, fitting the description of a "Monster of Tolkiendom." This clue directly refers to Tolkien's fictional universe.

The answer "SAGE" fits the clue "Very wise" because a sage is a person recognized for profound wisdom, sound judgment, and knowledge, often derived from experience. The clue directly describes this characteristic, making "SAGE" a perfect match. No puns or wordplay here—it's a straightforward definition.

The answer is SKAT because it is a traditional card game originating in Germany, played with a deck of only 32 cards (the Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 7–10 of each suit). It is a well-known three-player game that fits the clue perfectly.

The clue "Liberate" directly means to release, free, or emancipate someone or something. The phrase "set free" perfectly aligns with this definition as it describes the act of freeing someone or something from confinement, oppression, or restriction, making it the correct solution.

The answer is ETHICS because artificial intelligence raises complex moral questions. A.I. programmers must consider the ethical implications of their creations, such as bias, privacy, safety, and fairness, ensuring their systems promote positive, responsible, and equitable outcomes. This makes ETHICS a crucial consideration in A.I. development.

The clue “Bikini and others” refers to Bikini Atoll, a well-known ring-shaped coral reef. “Others” indicates similar formations, making ATOLLS (a group of coral islands surrounding a lagoon) the answer. Bikini is both a specific place and an example of an atoll, satisfying the plural clue.

The answer is NERF because NERF is a well-known brand of toys that makes soft, spongy foam balls, popular for being lightweight and safe for indoor use. The "spongy" texture directly refers to the foam material used in NERF products.

The answer is HAYEK because Salma Hayek is a renowned actress who starred as Frida Kahlo in the 2002 biographical film "Frida." The clue directly references her role, making HAYEK the appropriate solution.

The answer "ERODE" fits the clue "Slowly chip away at" because to erode means to gradually wear away or diminish something, often through processes like weathering or time. It perfectly describes the slow and steady breaking down implied by the clue.

The clue "Fancy party" directly points to the word GALA, which refers to an elegant, festive event often associated with formal attire, special occasions, or celebrations. The word "fancy" emphasizes the upscale nature of such a gathering, making GALA the perfect fit.

The answer is TERN because a tern is a seabird closely related to a gull. Both belong to the same bird family (Laridae) and share similarities in appearance and habitat, often found near water. This clue points to their taxonomic or physical relation.

The answer "HEAD" refers to a common term used to describe a whole unit of certain vegetables, including lettuce. For example, we often say "a head of lettuce" to describe the compact cluster of leaves that forms this vegetable. Thus, "HEAD" fits perfectly as a "Lettuce unit."

The phrase "No ___, no fuss!" uses parallelism, pairing two synonymous terms. "Muss" means disorder or mess, which complements "fuss" both in meaning and rhythm, forming the common idiom "No muss, no fuss!"—indicating a situation that is simple and free of trouble.

The clue "Opponent" straightforwardly defines someone in opposition, rivalry, or conflict. The word "FOE" is a clear synonym for "Opponent," often used to describe an adversary or enemy in competition, battle, or conflict, providing a concise and fitting answer to the clue.

The clue "Unfamiliar" leads to ODD because "odd" can describe something unusual, strange, or unfamiliar. The word directly ties to being out of the ordinary, which fits the meaning of the clue perfectly. This concise match between clue and definition makes ODD the correct solution.