What comes out of a tailpipe - NYT The Midi Clue

The clue "Rambunctious addition to the fam" hints at a playful and energetic new family member. "Pup," short for puppy, perfectly fits, as puppies are known for their lively and mischievous behavior, making them a "rambunctious" addition to any family.

ERA, or Earned Run Average, is a key statistic for evaluating a pitcher's performance in baseball—specifically how many earned runs they allow on average per 9 innings. A low ERA is crucial for a Cy Young Award hopeful, as it's awarded to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball.

The answer is ABU because the clue refers to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ABU is part of the city's name, paired with Dhabi, forming "Abu Dhabi." This straightforward geographical reference is common in crossword puzzles.

In infomercials, phrases like "Buy today!" often come with a sense of urgency. "CALL NOW" is a common prompt used to tell viewers to order immediately. The clue’s quotes indicate a spoken phrase commonly used in this context, making "CALLNOW" the fitting answer.

The word "Captivate" means to attract or hold someone's attention or interest. Similarly, "ENGAGE" means to involve or catch someone's attention deeply, making it a synonym. Both convey the idea of drawing in or absorbing interest, which makes ENGAGE the correct solution.

Hamm is a character in the "Toy Story" movie franchise who takes the form of a piggy bank. His design is based on a pig, aligning with the answer, "PIG." The clue's use of "e.g." indicates Hamm is an example of a pig.

The clue "Real hunk" refers to someone extremely attractive. "Studmuffin" is a playful, slang term combining "stud" (a handsome, desirable man) and "muffin" (suggesting sweetness). It’s a lighthearted expression often used to describe a very good-looking or charming man, fitting the definition of a "real hunk."

The clue "Polishes" can mean improving or making smooth and shiny. "SHINES" captures this because polishing an object often results in it shining or becoming glossy. Additionally, "shines" aligns with the verb form of "polishes," making it a precise synonym in this context.

The clue "One paying a landlord" refers to someone who pays rent to occupy property owned by a landlord. The term for such a person is "TENANT," as tenants lease and regularly pay rent for the space they inhabit. Therefore, TENANT is the correct answer.

In "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back," the Cat eats cake in a bathtub, creating a pink stain that becomes central to the story’s chaos. The tub is explicitly mentioned as the starting point of the mess, making "TUB" the fitting answer to the clue.

The clue "Don't live life without it" card, informally, hints at a widely recognized credit card brand known by its short form. "AMEX" is the informal nickname for American Express, a prominent credit card often advertised as indispensable or essential, aligning perfectly with the clue's phrasing.

The answer GASPAT cleverly combines "GASP" (a sharp inhalation, a natural reaction to surprise) and "AT" to match the phrase "React to, as a great surprise." It's a playful construction of words indicating a sudden reaction, aligning with the clue's meaning.

The clue "Kings and queens" refers to figures of authority, both monarchs and symbolic leaders. The shared term for such individuals is "RULERS," which applies broadly to people in power. Additionally, the word can double as a clever pun, as rulers are also tools used for measuring straight lines.

The clue "Heaven on earth" refers to an ideal or perfect place without flaws or suffering. UTOPIA is a term coined by Sir Thomas More to describe a fictional ideal society. It matches the clue as it symbolizes a paradise-like, perfected existence akin to "heaven on earth."

The answer is HARPS because harps are traditionally associated with angels in art, literature, and religious symbolism. They are often depicted playing these elegant string instruments, reinforcing the connection between harps and the heavenly or angelic realm. "Angelic instruments" directly points to this imagery.

An "Opera solo" refers to a piece sung by a single performer in an opera. An ARIA is a solo vocal performance in an opera, showcasing a character's emotions or story, making it the perfect fit for this clue. It's a direct match with no wordplay involved.

In the NBA, the "luxury tax" is a financial penalty imposed on teams that exceed the league's salary cap. The clue "Luxury ___" refers to this tax, tying it to the penalty teams pay for having a payroll above the allowable threshold. Hence, the answer is TAX.

The clue "Color shade" refers to a variation or specific tone of a color. The term "hue" directly relates to this, as it represents the attribute of a color that defines its type (such as red, blue, etc.), often modified by its shading or tint. Hence, the answer is HUE.

The prefix "TRI-" means three, and when combined with "-fecta," it forms "trifecta," a term often used in horse racing or other contexts to refer to a set of three successful achievements or outcomes. TRI is the correct prefix matching this meaning.

The clue "French fashion inits." refers to the initials of a famous French fashion designer or house. YSL stands for Yves Saint Laurent, an iconic French luxury fashion brand known worldwide. The initials perfectly fit the clue, as it's a well-known abbreviation in the fashion industry.