NYT Crossword Answers: Get Hints and Solve All Clues

The clue "Does a prose pro's job" refers to the work of someone skilled in handling prose, such as an editor. Editors review, improve, and revise written material—essentially, they edit. Therefore, the answer "EDITS" accurately describes the task performed by a "prose pro."

The answer "ACED" fits "Handled easily" because the term "aced" is commonly used to describe excelling or performing something flawlessly, like acing a test or task, which implies it was done effortlessly or easily handled.

The clue "Like some Olympic races" refers to races that are part of aquatic sports in the Olympics, such as swimming. Since the past participle form "SWUM" describes the action completed, it fits grammatically and contextually as the answer.

The clue "Got a C, say" suggests achieving an average or satisfactory result, as a grade "C" is considered neither excellent nor failing. "DID OK" is a casual way of saying someone performed moderately or satisfactorily—fitting the context of getting a "C."

The clue "Snoot" refers to a term often used informally to describe a nose. Both words relate to the same concept of the facial feature. It’s a straightforward synonym clue without wordplay, making NOSE the fitting answer.

The answer is PENA because Paul Pena was a blind American blues musician and singer-songwriter. He is known for his soulful music and unique ability to master Tuvan throat singing. His life and music embody the blues tradition, making him the fitting answer to the clue.

At first, GROWINGOLD doesn’t quite fit the clue "Emerge, as teeth." Teeth do grow in, but "old" seems unrelated. Here’s where the theme helps—"SCRAP METAL" means we look for a hidden metal. GOLD is embedded in GROWINGOLD. Removing GOLD leaves GROWIN, which is the correct answer. The trick here is spotting the extra metal word and realizing it must be removed to reveal the real meaning.

The answer is IRIS because Iris is both a type of flower and the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow, who served as a messenger for the gods. The connection to a deity makes this a fitting solution.

The answer "EEL" fits because eels are physically slippery creatures, often depicted in metaphors or similes to represent someone or something elusive or hard to grasp. The clue plays on this trait, making "slippery" both literal (eel's texture) and figurative (evasion or slyness).

The clue "I'm in trouble!" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "HELP" is a natural exclamation someone might shout when they're in trouble, perfectly matching the clue's direct meaning. It represents a cry for assistance in times of distress, aligning with the clue's intent.

The phrase "Soon to appear" suggests something imminent or scheduled to follow shortly. "UP NEXT" is a common expression used to indicate what will happen directly after, such as in a program lineup or event sequence. Hence, UPNEXT fits the clue perfectly.

The answer is PAVE because paving involves covering a surface, like a road or pathway, with a material (e.g., asphalt or concrete) to make it smooth and usable. This process "makes passable" by facilitating travel, aligning with the clue's phrasing "in a way."

The clue "Tons" means a large amount or abundance of something. "Scads" is an informal term that also means a large quantity or abundance, aligning perfectly with the clue's meaning. This makes SCADS a fitting answer.

In Latin, "capita" is the plural of "caput," which means "head." Ancient Rome used Latin as its language, so "Heads of ancient Rome" cleverly refers to this Latin term, making "CAPITA" the fitting answer.

"The irony" doesn't seem to fit the definition of a plural personal pronoun. But using the theme, we check for hidden metals. IRON is embedded in THEIRONY. Scrapping IRON leaves THEY, which is indeed a plural personal pronoun. This clue plays on the misleading surface reading—without the metal-removal trick, "THE IRONY" seems completely unrelated to pronouns.

The answer "LURE" fits "Bait shop purchase" because a lure is a commonly purchased fishing tool designed to attract fish by mimicking prey. It's a fundamental item sold in bait shops, making "LURE" a precise and logical solution to the clue.

DARI is one of two official languages of Afghanistan, alongside Pashto. It is a variety of Persian spoken widely in the country and serves as the lingua franca, used for government, media, and education. The clue directly points to this fact, making DARI the fitting answer.

LYDIA is the correct answer because it was a prominent ancient kingdom located in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Known for its wealth and early coinage, Lydia was a significant cultural and political entity in antiquity, fitting the geographical and historical context of the clue perfectly.

The clue refers to singer Ariana Grande, a pop superstar. To fans, she is often affectionately known by her nickname, "Ari," which is a short, informal version of her first name. Thus, ARI is the answer.

The Plain of Jars is an archaeological site in Laos, but LATINOS doesn't match that at first. Using the theme, we check for a hidden metal. TIN is embedded in LATINOS. Scrapping TIN leaves LAOS, the correct country. This clue is tricky because "Latinos" is a real word, which can mislead solvers into overthinking instead of applying the theme.

The clue "Flight fig." refers to a common abbreviation related to flights. "Fig." shortens "figure," often implying time or data. ETD stands for "Estimated Time of Departure," a standard term used in aviation to denote when a flight is expected to leave.

The answer is MAZDA because the car brand is named after Ahura Mazda, a deity in Zoroastrianism, symbolizing wisdom and harmony. This ties directly to the clue referencing a car brand named for a deity.

The phrase "Zero-sum game" relates to a situation where gains and losses balance out. "WASH" is slang for a situation that nets zero change—no profit, no loss. This fits perfectly with the idea of balanced outcomes in a zero-sum scenario.

GARI is the Japanese term for pickled ginger typically served as a palate cleanser with sushi. The clue directly refers to this accompaniment, making GARI the correct answer based on its cultural and culinary context.

A "bell sound" is typically PEAL, meaning the ringing of bells. But PLEADEAL doesn’t quite fit. Checking for hidden metals, LEAD is embedded in PLEADEAL. Removing LEAD leaves PEAL, which perfectly matches the definition. This clue is deceptive because "plea deal" is a familiar phrase, making it seem unrelated to bells at first. Recognizing the metal wordplay is key to cracking it.

The clue "Devilish sort" signals a pun or wordplay. "Devilish" hints at cunning or mischievous behavior, while "sort" refers to a type of person. "SLY DOG" is an idiomatic phrase for someone clever, sneaky, or mischievous—matching the playful, "devilish" description.

The answer "MYLAR" fits the clue "Balloon material" because Mylar is a durable, flexible, and lightweight polyester film commonly used to make shiny, metallic-looking balloons, often seen at celebrations. Its reflective property makes it ideal for decorative and long-lasting balloons.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which are core academic disciplines often emphasized in magnet schools. Magnet schools frequently focus on specialized curricula, and STEM programs are popular for preparing students for careers in these crucial, high-demand fields, aligning with the clue's focus.

The answer "NEOPET" refers to the virtual pets from the popular Neopets website, launched in 1999 and hugely popular in the 2000s. Users adopted, cared for, and interacted with these digital companions, making them a quintessential virtual companion of that era.

The clue "Nursery sounds" suggests gentle, soothing noises associated with infants. "COOS" refers to the soft, murmuring sounds babies make, often as an early form of communication. The plural form aligns with "sounds," making COOS the perfect fit for this clue.

SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor," a specification on sunscreen products indicating the level of protection against UV exposure. The clue "Exposure spec." uses "spec." as a shorthand for specification and "exposure" to refer to sun exposure, leading to SPF as the fitting answer.

The answer is ANNA because Anna Sawai is an actress who appeared in the 1980 TV miniseries "Shogun." Her performance in the series earned her recognition, including an Emmy win, making her a fitting choice for this clue.

SCRAP METAL suggests removing metal names from certain answers to make them make sense. The metals to remove—GOLD, IRON, TIN, and LEAD—are embedded within the starred clues’ words. By "scrapping" them, the remaining letters reveal the correct words. This clue is both a straightforward definition (junkyards contain scrap metal) and a wordplay hint. Recognizing this early in solving helps decipher the theme entries.

In sports tournaments, top-seeded teams often receive "byes," meaning they automatically advance to the next round without playing an initial match. This is considered a perk of being a high-ranking team, as it reduces the number of games they need to play. Hence, "BYES" fits perfectly.

IHOP (International House of Pancakes) is the answer because its restaurants are known for their iconic A-frame roof design, a signature architectural feature from its earlier locations. As a franchise, it’s widely recognized for this roof style, making it a fitting solution to the clue.

The clue "What you have in mind?" uses wordplay with the question mark. "In mind" can hint at a mental picture or visualization, which is an "IMAGE." The clever phrasing reflects that an image is something mentally visualized or imagined, fitting the solution perfectly.

The clue "Declares" and the answer "SAYS" are synonymous. To declare something often means to state or articulate it, which aligns with the meaning of "says." Both involve expressing something verbally, making "SAYS" an accurate and concise solution for the clue.

The answer "TIPS" is a pun. A server or waiter waits on customers, and "tips" are what they might be literally waiting for as part of their earnings. The clue’s playful phrasing with the question mark signals this humorous wordplay.

The answer "ZONED" refers to the process of designating land for specific purposes, such as residential, commercial, or industrial use. When land is "partitioned for development," it is legally divided and categorized through zoning regulations, making "ZONED" the accurate term addressing the clue.