Eel, at a Japanese restaurant - NYT The Crossword Clue

The clue "Scissors sound" directly describes the characteristic noise scissors make when cutting. "SNIP" perfectly captures this short, sharp sound, making it the fitting answer. It's an example of onomatopoeia, where the word imitates the sound it represents.

The answer "TODO" fits perfectly as it directly refers to a "list of tasks." A "to-do list" is a common term for organizing tasks, and "TODO" is often used as a heading to categorize or itemize things that need to be completed.

The phrase "Lots and lots" is a colloquial way of expressing a large quantity. "A ton" (phonetically, ATON) is often used figuratively to mean a great amount. Therefore, ATON perfectly fits as the solution, capturing the idea of abundance in just four letters.

GEN Z (Generation Z) refers to individuals born approximately between the late 1990s and early 2010s. This age group includes kids who were born or grew up in the 2000s, fitting the clue perfectly. The term "Gen Z" denotes one of the generational classifications often used demographically.

The answer "SIC" is used when quoting text to indicate that a typo or error is intentionally included as it appears in the original source. The bracketed clue "[Yes, I know that's a typo]" directly alludes to this purpose, making "SIC" the perfect fit.

The solution "MORAL" fits because most fables, such as those by Aesop, are short stories designed to convey a lesson or ethical takeaway. This lesson or guiding principle is referred to as the "moral of the story," making MORAL the most accurate answer to "Fable's takeaway."

The clue "Just a moment!" is enclosed in quotes, signaling it's a spoken phrase. "One sec" is a common shorthand expression for asking someone to wait briefly, synonymous with "just a moment." This makes ONESEC the fitting solution for this clue.

The clue "Penultimate tournament round" points to the second-to-last stage in a competition. "Semi-" means half, referring to the stage before the final, and "finals" relates to the deciding round. Together, SEMIFINALS accurately describes this round before the championship match.

OMEGA is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, following the traditional sequence from Alpha (the first) to Omega (the last). The clue "Last Greek letter" directly points to this position in the Greek alphabet, making OMEGA the correct answer.

The clue "Pitch that's hard to hit?" is a pun. It plays on "pitch" as both a musical note and a baseball term. A "high C" is a challenging note for singers to hit, especially in classical or operatic music, making it a fitting answer.

The clue "Give a formal speech" directly aligns with the definition of ORATE. To orate means to deliver a formal, often ceremonial, speech. It is derived from “oration,” traditionally associated with structured, formal speaking. This makes ORATE the precise match for this clue.

The clue "Heinie" is a playful and informal term for one's backside, aligning with "TUSH," a similarly casual term for the buttocks. Both words are used colloquially to refer to the same body part, making "TUSH" the perfect solution for this clue.

LYSOL is a well-known brand of cleaning and disinfecting products, including sprayable disinfectants. The clue directly asks for a brand name associated with sprayable disinfectants, and LYSOL is a recognizable and widely used choice that fits perfectly into the crossword grid.

The answer "MEMO" fits "Officewide message" because a memo (short for memorandum) is a formal means of communication typically used within an organization to share information or directives with all employees or departments, aligning perfectly with the clue's definition.

The answer "SOS" fits "Signal at sea" because SOS is an internationally recognized distress signal used by ships. It’s a Morse code sequence (● ● ● – – – ● ● ●) signaling urgent help. Being universal, it aptly matches the clue's context of communication at sea.

The clue "Um, sure" is conversational and enclosed in quotes, indicating the answer is a casual, spoken phrase. "OHOK" mirrors the hesitant, slightly reluctant tone of "Um, sure," representing acknowledgment or mild agreement in an informal way. It aligns perfectly with the casual dialogue style.

The answer "OILY" fits the clue "Covered in grease" because "oily" describes something coated with or containing oil or grease. The word directly relates to the texture and appearance of something that is greasy, making it the perfect solution.

The clue "You missed your chance" is a direct phrase that expresses regret or realization of being late for an opportunity. The answer "TOO LATE NOW" matches perfectly as it conveys the same meaning—in simple, conversational language—implying the moment has passed and it's irretrievable.

RNA is the solution because it stands for ribonucleic acid, a molecule that is typically single-stranded, unlike DNA, which is double-stranded. RNA plays key roles in coding, decoding, and expression of genes, perfectly fitting the described clue.

The clue "Palindromic sib" points to a sibling ("sib") whose name is a palindrome, meaning it reads the same forward and backward. "SIS," short for "sister," fits perfectly as it’s both a sibling reference and a palindromic word ("S-I-S").

CNET is a well-known website that provides technology news, reviews, and advice on gadgets, software, and electronics. The clue “Tech review site” directly points to this widely recognized platform, making CNET the fitting solution. Its extensive reviews align perfectly with the clue's description.

The phrase "Living on the ___" refers to living in a risky, adventurous, or extreme way. The word EDGE completes this common expression, as "living on the edge" conveys a sense of excitement, danger, or pushing boundaries. It aligns perfectly with the intent of the clue.

The answer is MOTTS because Mott's is a well-known brand specializing in applesauce and apple-based products. The clue "Big name in applesauce" directly refers to this prominent brand, making MOTTS the fitting solution. It’s a straightforward brand-related trivia clue.

The clue "Go away, fly!" is in quotes, indicating a spoken or nonverbal response. "Shoo" is an exclamation commonly used to chase away flies or other pests, perfectly matching the context of telling a fly to "go away." This aligns with the clue's intent.

The answer is SOD because sod refers to grass and the soil beneath it, typically sold in rolls for landscaping or lawn installation. It is pre-grown turf that can be unrolled and laid on the ground, matching the clue's description of "grass bought in rolls."

The answer "VIAGRA" refers to the well-known blue pill used to treat erectile dysfunction. The clue "The little blue pill" directly describes the distinctive small, blue appearance of the medication, making VIAGRA the fitting solution.

UGGS is the solution because it is a well-known brand that produces fluffy, comfortable footwear, including slippers made with sheepskin and wool. The clue specifies "Branded," directly pointing to a recognizable label, and UGGS fits perfectly as they are famous for their cozy, fluffy design.

The clue "Things taken on a walk?" uses a question mark, signaling wordplay. On a walk, you physically take "steps" as you move forward. The pun here links the literal action (walking) to the figurative phrase (things taken). Thus, "STEPS" is the fitting solution.

The Tenth Commandment states, "You shall not covet," referring to desiring someone else's possessions, spouse, or life with envy. To "violate" this commandment means to "covet," aligning perfectly with the clue. Thus, COVET is the answer, capturing the essence of breaking this biblical rule.

The clue plays on how BMI (Body Mass Index) only considers weight and height, not muscle mass. Many bodybuilders have high muscle mass, which increases their weight, leading to a high BMI that categorizes them as "obese" despite having low body fat.

The clue refers to Zac Efron, the actor who starred as Troy Bolton in Disney's "High School Musical" series. His last name, "EFRON," is the direct answer to the clue. It’s a straightforward reference to his well-known role in the franchise.

The answer is "DEALT" because the verb "deal" refers to the action of distributing playing cards to players in a game. "Handed out" directly aligns with this meaning, as it implies the cards are distributed or apportioned to participants.

The pH scale measures acidity and alkalinity, ranging from 0 to 14. Substances with low pH values (below 7) are acidic, and the lower the score, the stronger the acid. Thus, a "low scorer" on a pH test logically corresponds to ACID.

The word "Constructed" directly relates to something that was built or created. "Made" is synonymous with these actions, meaning to form or create something, perfectly aligning it as the answer to the clue.

The answer is ELLA because in Spanish, "ella" means "she," but phonetically it can sound like "el-la." Since "el" and "la" are masculine and feminine forms of "the," respectively, "ella" playfully parses as "the the" in Spanish, aligning with the clue’s wordplay.

REED is the solution because Steve Jobs briefly attended Reed College, a liberal arts institution located in Portland, Oregon. While he dropped out after six months, his time there influenced his design philosophy and creativity, famously taking calligraphy classes that later impacted Apple's typography.

The clue "Certainly!" is enclosed in quotes, indicating a spoken phrase. "YES" is a direct and affirming response that conveys agreement or certainty, matching the tone and meaning of "Certainly!" in a conversational context. Thus, "YES" fits perfectly as the solution.