See 12-Across - NYT The Midi Clue

CDT stands for Central Daylight Time, the time zone observed in Kansas City during summer months when daylight saving time is active. The clue specifies "in brief," signaling the use of an abbreviation for the time zone.

The clue "That sounds cool!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken or exclamatory response. "OOH" is an interjection often used to express amazement, excitement, or being impressed—perfect for reacting to something "cool." Its sound directly matches the sentiment described in the clue.

The answer is MOE because Moe Howard was one of the Three Stooges, known for his leadership role in the comedy trio. He famously had a distinctive bowl-cut hairstyle, making him instantly recognizable and fitting the description in the clue perfectly.

The clue "You asleep?" suggests a spoken phrase, and the aggrieved tone implies annoyance or frustration. "IWAS" fits as a natural, spoken retort to this question—expressing irritation at being woken up, confirming they were asleep.

The clue "Done" directly corresponds to the synonym "COMPLETED." Both indicate something finished or brought to an end. The words are interchangeable in contexts like tasks or actions, making "COMPLETED" the precise solution here. There’s no wordplay or secondary meaning in this straightforward clue.

The phrase "Put a sock in it!" is a colloquial way of telling someone to be quiet or "pipe down." The missing word is "in," making the answer INIT (combining "in it") to match the playful, spoken-style clue format.

"Pair" suggests connecting, and "as two devices" hints at syncing them so they work together. SYNC, short for synchronization, refers to linking devices to share data or operate in harmony, making it the apt solution.

The answer is HUGH because Hugh Grant played the role of Daniel Cleaver, a charming yet flawed character, in the 2001 romantic comedy film Bridget Jones's Diary. The clue directly references the actor’s name and the movie for context.

The clue "More pastel-like" suggests something lighter or softer in color, as pastels are pale shades. "Paler" directly describes being lighter in tone, aligning perfectly with the clue's comparative form "more." Thus, "Paler" is the correct answer.

"Zooms" refers to using Zoom, the popular video conferencing platform. The plural form connects to "does," representing repeated or multiple video calls made via Zoom. Hence, "Zooms" cleverly fits the clue.

The answer is ESC because the "Escape" (ESC) key on a keyboard is commonly used to exit full-screen modes in various software and applications. It acts as a shortcut for closing or minimizing an active full-screen display. Hence, "Key for exiting full-screen mode" aptly points to ESC.

The clue "Pancake-turning tool" directly describes a kitchen utensil designed to flip pancakes during cooking. A SPATULA is the standard tool for this job, featuring a flat, wide blade perfect for sliding under and turning pancakes easily without breaking them, making it the ideal answer.

The answer "TIDEPOD" fits the clue because Tide Pods are small detergent pouches. They became infamously linked to a dangerous internet trend in which people filmed themselves pretending to eat them, despite warnings about their toxicity. The clue directly references both the product and its controversial trend.

The clue "Gracias" response is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "Gracias" means "thank you" in Spanish, so the response would also be in Spanish. "De nada," meaning "you're welcome" or "it's nothing," is a common reply to "Gracias," making DENADA the correct answer.

The clue "Capital city of Turkey" is a straightforward geography question. Turkey's capital is Ankara, located in the country's central Anatolia region. While Istanbul is Turkey's largest city, Ankara has been the administrative capital since 1923, when it replaced Istanbul during the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.

The answer "NONFAT" fits because diet-friendly yogurt often has reduced or no fat to align with health-conscious eating habits. "Like" suggests a descriptive quality, and "diet-friendly" points toward something low-calorie or low-fat. Thus, "NONFAT" accurately describes such yogurt.

The phrase "The ___ of the ball" refers to the expression "the belle of the ball," which describes the most beautiful, admired, or celebrated person at a social gathering, such as a ball. "Belle" is a French word meaning "beautiful," fitting the context perfectly.

Pepto-Bismol and TUMS are both over-the-counter remedies for digestive discomfort like heartburn or indigestion. The clue asks for an "alternative," so the answer TUMS fits as a well-known brand that serves a similar purpose to Pepto-Bismol. Both are household names in this category.

The clue directly references the title of Zora Neale Hurston's renowned novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. The missing word in the title that logically completes the phrase is "EYES," making it the correct answer. It’s a straightforward literary reference.

The answer "SPY" fits because a spy is another term for a secret agent—someone who covertly gathers intelligence or conducts undercover operations, often in espionage contexts. The clue directly defines the role without any wordplay or embellishment, making "SPY" the straightforward solution.

The clue "Weed" is a straightforward one. "Pot" is a slang term for marijuana, which is informally referred to as "weed." This connection between the slang terms makes "POT" the correct answer for this clue.