"The gloves are off!" - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Fashionable spots?" uses wordplay, indicated by the question mark. "Spots" cleverly refers to the dot pattern of polka dots, which are often featured in trendy and stylish fashion designs. Thus, POLKADOTS is the pun-based answer tying "fashionable" and "spots" together.

The answer "SESH" is a shortened slang term for "session," which refers to a meeting or gathering. The clue's phrase "cut short" hints at this abbreviation and the playful nature of the question mark signals wordplay. So, "Meeting that's been cut short?" cleverly leads to "SESH".

An ICECRUSHER is a device specifically designed to crush ice into smaller pieces, which is a key step in making snow cones. Snow cones are made by packing crushed ice and adding flavored syrup over it, making the ICECRUSHER essential for the snowy texture required.

The clue "Lead" and its answer "CLUE" involve a figurative meaning. "Lead" can mean a hint or piece of information pointing toward a solution, which aligns with the definition of a "clue" as something guiding toward solving a mystery or problem. Hence, "CLUE" fits perfectly.

The clue uses wordplay with "walk in someone else's shoes," hinting at buying pre-owned items, including shoes, at a garage sale. A garage sale offers the opportunity to purchase others' belongings, making it a clever and fitting solution. The question mark signals the pun.

ABBA is the solution because it is a famous Swedish pop group known for their global hits, including "Honey, Honey" and "Money, Money, Money." The clue references two popular songs by the group, directly pointing to ABBA as the answer.

The clue "Something won by successful Olympians" refers to the fame, admiration, and honor achieved by excelling at the Olympics. While medals are tangible rewards, "GLORY" captures the broader, intangible triumph and recognition that successful Olympic athletes gain from their outstanding performances.

The clue "Alternative to caps: Abbr." refers to text formatting styles. "Caps" indicates capital letters, while "ITAL" is short for "italics," a common alternative for emphasizing text. The abbreviation (Abbr.) in the clue signals the shortened form of "italics." Hence, ITAL fits perfectly here.

The answer is DOWD because Ann Dowd is an actress who won an Emmy Award for her performance as Aunt Lydia in The Handmaid's Tale. The clue specifically references her Emmy win and her role in this acclaimed series, making her last name the correct solution.

The clue "Awesome!" is enclosed in quotes, indicating the answer is an expression or exclamation. "YAY" is a common spoken reaction conveying excitement or approval, which aligns perfectly with the sentiment of something being awesome. It’s a concise, celebratory response.

The clue "Shared fantasies?" with a question mark signals a pun. Fantasies are not real, so "shared fantasies" suggests a situation where untruths or fabrications are told collectively. The answer, LIED, reflects the act of sharing falsehoods or fantasies.

"Lab" refers to a Labrador Retriever, a common dog breed. A Labrador could be a "pet" kept in one's home, making PET the correct answer for this playful clue.

The answer "OATY" describes snacks that contain oats, a common high-fiber ingredient found in granola bars, cookies, or cereals. The suffix "-y" suggests the snacks have qualities of oats, making them "oaty" in texture or flavor and therefore fitting the clue.

Swedish knäckebröd, a type of crispbread, is traditionally made with rye flour, a staple grain in Scandinavian cuisine. The clue refers to this key ingredient, making "RYE" the correct answer.

The clue "Wrong answer" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken response. "NOPE" is a casual, conversational way to say "no" or indicate an incorrect answer, fitting perfectly as a spoken phrase for rejecting or denoting a "wrong answer."

The clue "Grind up, in a way" describes the action of breaking something into smaller pieces, particularly through repetitive motion. "CHEW" fits this as it refers to using teeth to grind food into smaller bits, making it a plausible and fitting synonym for "grind up" in this context.

The clue "Rite-of-passage events for high schoolers" refers to significant, transitional experiences during high school. PROMS are formal dances typically held for juniors and seniors, marking a celebratory milestone in their academic and social lives. This matches the idea of a "rite of passage" for high school students.

The clue "You and me both" is a conversational phrase indicating shared circumstances or agreement. The answer, "I'M IN THE SAME BOAT," is a common idiom expressing that both people are experiencing the same situation or challenge, perfectly fitting the casual, spoken tone of the clue.

The answer "CENSE" refers to the act of burning incense, a process often associated with wafting fragrant smoke. The term comes from "incense," which is burned to release aroma. "Waft fragrant smoke around" directly hints at this ceremonial or aromatic practice.

The answer is ANYA because the clue refers to Anya Taylor-Joy, a well-known actress. She is recognized for her roles in films and TV series like The Queen's Gambit, The Menu, and Emma. "Taylor-Joy" is a key identifier directly pointing to her first name, Anya.

The answer "IMPS" fits because "Tricksters" refers to mischievous or playful beings, often associated with causing harmless trouble. "Imps" are small, mythical creatures known for their trickery, making them an apt match for the clue’s playful tone. The plural clue matches the plural answer.

Mountain lions, also known as cougars, are apex predators that hunt large herbivores. ELK, being a common and sizeable prey for mountain lions in their shared North American habitats, fits the clue. This clue is straightforward, directly referencing this predator-prey relationship in nature.

The abbreviation "APPT" stands for "appointment," which fits the clue "It has its time and place: Abbr." An appointment refers to a scheduled meeting or event, which inherently includes a specific time and location, aligning perfectly with the clue's description.

The answer "IFS" refers to hypothetical scenarios or possibilities—things that could happen. "If" introduces conditional statements, suggesting potential outcomes. Pluralized as "IFS," it aptly represents multiple hypotheticals or uncertainties, aligning perfectly with the clue's wording: "Things that could happen."

The clue "Light" can describe something soft, mild, or delicate. The word "GENTLE" fits this definition as it denotes a gentle touch or demeanor, which is light and not harsh. Here, "light" is used metaphorically to mean soft or tender.

The clue “Let on a court, say” refers to a situation in sports, particularly tennis, where a "let" call is made when a serve touches the net but still lands in the proper service box, prompting a replay. The word "say" hints it's about naming or declaring—hence, CALL fits.

RBG refers to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a prominent U.S. Supreme Court Justice and co-founder of the ACLU's Women's Rights Project. "Familiarly" signals her well-known nickname, RBG, widely recognized due to her groundbreaking advocacy for gender equality and justice.

The Otoe are a Native American tribe historically based in the Central Plains region, encompassing parts of present-day Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. The clue "Plains people" directly refers to their historical presence in this area, making OTOE the correct answer.

THOU is the solution because it is an archaic second-person singular pronoun used frequently in Shakespeare’s works, including "Hamlet." It directly refers to the addressed person in dialogue, aligning with the phrase "second person." This formal usage reflects the language style of the play.

The answer "IRULE" fits the clue "Immodest outburst" because it reflects a boastful, self-assured exclamation. Someone saying "I rule" is confidently declaring their superiority or dominance, which aligns with the clue's description of an immodest, bold statement.

The IBIS is nicknamed the "hurricane bird" due to its behavior of waiting until the very last moment to seek shelter before a storm, reflecting the clue's description. This bird is commonly associated with tropical and storm-prone areas, aligning with its connection to hurricanes.

A "Knockout" tournament eliminates players after a loss. A "ROUND ROBIN" format is an alternative where all participants play against each other, ensuring multiple matches and no immediate eliminations. This fits the clue "Knockout alternative" perfectly, as it describes the contrasting tournament style.

The answer is NAST because Thomas Nast was a renowned 19th-century cartoonist known as the "Father of the American Cartoon." He created the illustration "Santa Claus in Camp" during the Civil War in 1863, popularizing the modern image of Santa Claus.

The clue “This has waited long enough, yes?” implies a conversational phrase due to the quotation marks. "ISN’T IT TIME" is a common way to express impatience or urgency, fitting perfectly with the meaning of the clue as a rhetorical or exasperated remark.

The answer GREY relates to the typical fur color of koalas. In Australia, "grey" is the British English spelling of the word "gray," reflecting the spelling conventions used in Australian English, where koalas are native. Hence, GREY fits the clue perfectly.

The clue "Some craft outlets" refers to places where handmade or crafted items are sold. Etsy is a popular online marketplace known for selling crafts, art, and handmade goods. "Shops" specifies individual stores on Etsy, making ETSYSHOPS the correct answer.