NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The answer "ALPHA" works because "alpha" is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, often symbolizing the first in any series or sequence. This aligns with the clue, "First in a series," pointing to alpha's figurative and literal position as the starting point.

The clue "Pixel rival" refers to a competitor of Google's Pixel smartphone. The answer, IPH/FONE, represents Apple's iPhone, another leading smartphone brand. Both are major players in the smartphone market, making "iPhone" the logical rival to the Pixel.

The clue "Snap" involves wordplay. "Snap" can refer to a photo or picture. The abbreviation "PH" (short for photography) and "FOTO" (a phonetic spelling often used in other languages) both represent this idea. Hence, PH/FOTO works as the answer, capturing the pun on "Snap" as a picture.

The clue uses wordplay, referencing an "Average Joe," a term for an ordinary person, but specifies it's "not Joe." "Norm" is short for "normal," symbolizing average or typical, fitting the meaning. Additionally, "Norm" is a common male name, paralleling "Joe" as a generic, relatable everyman name.

The clue "Bases loaded, e.g." refers to a baseball situation where all bases are occupied, meaning there are three runners on base. "Men on" is the phrase used in baseball to describe this circumstance, making MENON the solution. It's a play on words interpreted as "men on base."

The uvea is the part of the eye containing the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. As the clue specifies "Iris's location," it directly points to the uvea, since the iris is anatomically housed within this layer of the eye.

The answer "SCAB" fits the clue "Temporary cover of a sort" because a scab is a natural, temporary covering that forms over a wound as part of the healing process. It serves as a "cover" until the skin repairs itself, aligning perfectly with the clue's description.

The answer is ILIAD because it is one of the most famous epic poems, written by Homer. The line "Come, friend, you too must die" is spoken by Achilles in the Iliad, reflecting the poem's themes of fate, mortality, and war.

The clue "Festival covering" refers to something that provides shelter or cover at a festival. A "TENT" is a common structure used at festivals to provide shade, protection, or a gathering space, fitting perfectly as the covering in this context.

The answer WHYISNTTHEWORD begins Steven Wright's famously absurd and ironic quip: "Why isn’t the word 'phonetic' spelled the way it sounds?" Wright's humor often features such paradoxical questions, and this phrase sets up the joke. The clue references the quip’s start in a direct, spoken form.

The clue "Summer abroad" hints at a foreign term for "summer." "Abroad" suggests a different language, and in French, "été" (phonetically ETE) means summer. This aligns perfectly with the clue, as "été" is often used in crosswords for the season in French.

The clue "Sounds of refreshment" is asking for a nonverbal sound made when refreshed, often after drinking something satisfying. "AHS" represents the sound "ahhh," an expression of relief or satisfaction, especially after quenching thirst. The quotation marks indicate it’s an interpretive, spoken sound answer.

The phrase "King's ransom" is a common expression referring to a very large sum of money. The clue "King's ___" is completed by "ransom" because it aligns with this well-known phrase, suggesting significant wealth or value fit for a king.

The clue "Adjust on the timeline" refers to changing or modifying a date. "RE-" suggests doing something again, and "DATE" relates to a point in time. Together, REDATE means to assign or adjust a new date to something, fitting the idea of altering a timeline.

The answer "HISS" fits the clue "Pressure cooker sound" because a pressure cooker releases steam through its valve, producing a hissing sound due to the high-pressure steam escaping. This onomatopoeic word perfectly describes that sound, making it the correct solution for the clue.

TNT, short for trinitrotoluene, is a well-known explosive compound often used in demolition and blasting. The clue "Producer of an explosion" directly hints at a substance capable of creating an explosion, making TNT the fitting answer. It’s concise and specific to the explosive context.

The clue refers to Michelle Obama's mother, whose name is MARIAN Robinson. MARIAN Lois Robinson is a well-known public figure due to her connection to the Obama family, making it the correct answer.

The clue "Deep notes" refers to sounds with low frequency or pitch, which are often described as "deep." BASS fits as it signifies the lowest range of notes in music, such as those produced by bass instruments or singers. It’s a literal interpretation of musical terminology.

This clue reveals the puzzle's theme: some squares use PH across but F down, interpreted PHONETICALLY. For example, in PHONETICALLY (35A), the "PH" square corresponds to the "F" in FILIPINO (35D). Spotting these mismatches between across and down answers is key to uncovering the rebus trick. Without "PHONETICALLY" to explain the theme, solvers might struggle to identify the pattern, but once understood, it makes finding other rebus squares much simpler.

The clue "French buds" indicates the answer is in French. "Buds" suggests close friends or companions, and the French word for friends is "amis." Hence, AMIS (pronounced "ah-mee") perfectly fits as the solution for "French buds."

The clue "Plotted" cleverly plays on its dual meanings. "GRAPH" relates to plotting data points on a graph (charting), while "FED" can mean to scheme or plot something covertly, possibly referencing a federal agent involved in plans or conspiracies. Both fit different interpretations of "plotted."

The answer "TIL" is short for "till," a casual or informal way of saying "up to." In this context, "informally" in the clue signals a colloquial or abbreviated term. While "till" is often used interchangeably with "until," "TIL" reflects its more condensed, informal usage.

The clue "Low pair" refers to a pair of the lowest-value cards in a standard deck of playing cards. In poker or similar card games, TWOS are the lowest-ranking pair possible, making this a straightforward connection to the clue.

The clue "Beyond cross" uses wordplay. "Cross" hints at anger, and "beyond" intensifies it. Therefore, "RAGING" (meaning extremely angry, beyond just cross or upset) fits perfectly. The wordplay suggests escalating emotion, leading to the solution.

The answer is MAITAI because the Mai Tai is a classic tropical cocktail that prominently features in scenes of the film "Blue Hawaii," starring Elvis Presley. The setting of the film, Hawaii, is known for its tropical drinks, making the Mai Tai a fitting choice for the clue.

The clue "Govt. prosecutors" refers to individuals who prosecute criminal cases on behalf of the government. "DAS" is short for "District Attorneys," who are government officials responsible for prosecuting crimes in specific districts. The plural "prosecutors" aligns with the plural abbreviation DAS.

The clue "Besides" suggests something additional or in addition. "TOO" is a synonym for "also" or "in addition," making it the appropriate solution. This fits the clue's straightforward meaning without wordplay or alternate interpretations.

The clue "End of the quip" refers to the punchline of a longer joke or saying found within the puzzle. In this case, "SPELLEDWITHANF" humorously concludes the quip, likely explaining that a referenced word or name is literally spelled using the letter "F."

The answer is EMIL because Emil Jannings was a famous German-Swiss actor, known as the first-ever recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1929. This clue directly refers to his first name, making EMIL the correct solution.

The answer is SNEAD because Sam Snead, a legendary golfer, was the youngest to shoot below his age in a PGA Tour event. At 67, he scored 66 during the second round of the 1979 Quad Cities Open, an exceptional achievement reflecting his lasting skill.

The White Sox and Red Sox are American League (AL) teams in Major League Baseball. Informally, a player from either team can be referred to as an "ALER," short for someone playing in the American League (AL). This clue uses abbreviation-based wordplay for its answer.

The clue "Runner's assignment" refers to a "lane," which is the designated path or section assigned to runners during races, such as on a track. It’s a straightforward term used in athletics, making "lane" the perfect fit for this clue.

In cricket, an "over" is a segment of the game consisting of six consecutive legal deliveries bowled by a single bowler. The clue "Cricket segments" refers to these sections of play, making OVERS the correct answer.

The clue "Miller option" refers to Miller Brewing Company, known for its beers. One of the popular options is Miller Lite, a lower-calorie beer. The spelling "LITE" instead of "LIGHT" reflects the branding used by the company. Hence, "LITE" is the correct answer.

The answer "PHLOX" fits because its name derives from the Greek word "phlox," meaning "flame," referencing the flower's vibrant, fiery hues. This etymology ties directly to the clue’s mention of its ancient Greek meaning, making it a fitting solution.

The answer "NYMPH/FO" works because "nymph" is a mythical creature sometimes associated with being obsessive or fanatical (like a maniac), and "nympho" (shortened from nymphomaniac) is a clear and direct lead-in to "maniac," aligning with the clue's wordplay.

The clue "Troublesome threes, e.g." with a question mark signals wordplay. "PHASE" sounds like "PHASE (Faze)," meaning to disturb or trouble. The homophone "PHASE" and "FAZE" explains the pun. Threes are a tricky "phase" (stage) in development, making "PHASE" (or "FASE" as stylistic spelling) apt.