Here's all LA Times Crossword answers for 29 November 2024, Friday. Find all answers and solutions here.
We've also tries to explain why the answer is the correct solution for each clue.
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Clues and answers
Clues followed by answers and an explanation underneath.
Ache : DULL PAIN
The answer "YEN" for the clue "Ache" is the right solution because "YEN" can mean a strong desire or craving, which can be synonymous with an ache or longing.
Ache : DULL PAIN
The answer "DULL PAIN" fits the clue "Ache" because a dull pain is a persistent, mild discomfort or soreness that is often associated with an ache.
Believer’s suffix : -IST
The suffix "-IST" is commonly added to a word to indicate a person who practices a particular belief or ideology. In this case, a believer is someone who believes in something, so the suffix "-IST" is added to form "believer's."
Besmirch : SOIL
The word "tar" can mean to cover or smear with tar, which can be seen as a way to besmirch or tarnish something's reputation or appearance.
Besmirch : SOIL
The word "besmirch" means to tarnish or stain someone's reputation. "Tar" is a substance that leaves a sticky and dark residue, which can be used as a metaphor for tarnishing or staining someone's reputation. Therefore, "tar" is the right solution for the clue "besmirch."
Besmirch : SOIL
The answer to "Besmirch" is "TAR" because tar is a substance that can be used to dirty or stain something, thus tarnishing its appearance.
Besmirch : SOIL
The word "besmirch" means to damage the reputation of someone or something. "SMEAR" is the right answer because it means to damage or ruin someone's reputation by making false accusations or spreading rumors.
Besmirch : SOIL
SOIL is the right answer because it means to make something dirty or stained, which is similar in meaning to besmirch.
Birdhouse opening, perhaps : CARDINAL’S IN
unknown
Bone-deep : INHERENT
Bout-ending decision : TKO
The answer "TKO" stands for Technical Knockout, which is a decision made by the referee to end a boxing match when one fighter is unable to continue, either due to injury or being knocked down multiple times.
Bushel fractions : PECKS
The term "Bushel fractions" refers to smaller units of measurement within a bushel. A peck is a common unit of dry volume measurement equal to 1/4 of a bushel. Therefore, "PECKS" is the right answer to the clue "Bushel fractions."
Cabbie who picks up crustaceans, perhaps : CRAB’S HACK
The answer "CRAB'S HACK" fits the clue because it combines "CRAB" (a crustacean) with "HACK" (a term for a taxi driver's vehicle). This creates a playful image of a taxi driver specifically picking up crustaceans.
Carry-on inspectors : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." is the right solution because it is an abbreviation for "inspectors," indicating that the inspectors in question are abbreviated or shortened in some way.
Class for a 1L : TORTS
"TORTS" is the right solution because it refers to a common class taken by first-year law students (1Ls) that covers civil wrongs and liabilities.
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, for one : DIET SODA
The answer "DIET SODA" fits the clue "Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, for one" because Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is a type of diet soda.
Comes up : ARISES
The answer "ARISES" fits the clue "Comes up" because "arises" is a synonym for "comes up" or "emerges."
Common mark on a beginner’s crossword : ERASURE
The answer "ERASURE" fits the clue "Common mark on a beginner’s crossword" because beginners often make mistakes and need to erase incorrect answers, leaving behind an erasure mark on the crossword puzzle.
Commuter’s way around Philly : SEPTA
SEPTA is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, which operates public transit in the Philadelphia area. Therefore, "Commuter’s way around Philly" refers to SEPTA as the transportation system used by commuters in Philadelphia.
Compact Nissan : SENTRA
SENTRA is a compact car model made by Nissan. It fits the clue "Compact Nissan" perfectly.
Device needed to renovate a small pad, perhaps : TOAD’S TOOL
Device with 1080p resolution, e.g. : HDTV
HDTV stands for High Definition Television, which commonly has a resolution of 1080p. Therefore, a device with 1080p resolution can be referred to as an HDTV.
Did the dishes : CATERED
Doctrine : DOGMA
"Doctrine" refers to a set of beliefs or principles taught by a particular group or organization. "Dogma" specifically refers to a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true. In this context, "dogma" is a synonym for "doctrine," making it the right solution for the clue.
East, in El Salvador : ESTE
"Este" is the Spanish word for "East," and El Salvador is a Spanish-speaking country. Therefore, "Este" is the correct answer for "East, in El Salvador."
Fake ID? : ALIAS
The answer "ALIAS" is the right solution because a fake ID is often used under a different name or alias.
Fearless : BOLD
The word "bold" means showing a willingness to take risks or be confident and courageous, which is often associated with being fearless.
Finished some landscaping : EDGED
The word "EDGED" means to have finished or completed the edges of something, which is often done in landscaping to give it a neat and polished look.
First of September? : ESS
The clue "First of September?" is a wordplay clue. In this case, "First of September" refers to the first letter of the word "September," which is "S." Therefore, the answer "ESS" is the phonetic spelling of the letter "S."
Genre with moody hip-hop elements : EMO RAP
"Emo rap" is the right solution because it accurately describes a genre of music that combines elements of emo and hip-hop, often featuring emotionally expressive lyrics over hip-hop beats.
Goal for some night sch. students : GED
The answer "GED" stands for General Educational Development, which is a test that some night school students take to earn a high school equivalency diploma.
GPS heading : SSE
The abbreviation "SSE" stands for "south-southeast," which is a specific compass direction indicating a heading on a GPS device.
Having to watch the hare win over and over, perhaps : TORTOISE’S HELL
The answer "TORTOISE'S HELL" is the right solution because it refers to the tortoise's frustration in the fable of "The Tortoise and the Hare" by Aesop, where the slow but steady tortoise wins the race against the fast but overconfident hare. The phrase implies the tortoise's perspective of repeatedly having to watch the hare win before finally achieving victory.
Hebrew toast : L’CHAIM
"L’CHAIM" is the right solution because it is a common Hebrew toast meaning "to life." It is often used when making a toast during a celebration or a special occasion.
Herbivore with a short proboscis : TAPIR
The tapir is a herbivore with a short proboscis, which is a long nose or trunk. Tapirs use their short proboscis to grab leaves, shoots, and fruits to eat, making it the correct answer for this clue.
Homey room : DEN
The word "DEN" is often used to describe a cozy and comfortable room in a home, making it a suitable answer for the clue "Homey room."
Insurer owned by CVS : AETNA
AETNA is the insurer owned by CVS Health Corporation, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Irish cheddar? : EURO
The term "Irish cheddar" is a wordplay clue where "Irish" indicates the country code IE for Ireland and "cheddar" is a type of cheese. Putting them together, we get the currency of the European Union, which is the EURO.
Kin of equi- : ISO-
ISO- is a prefix that means "equal" or "same," similar to the meaning of the prefix "equi-." So, "ISO-" is a kin or relative of "equi-," making it the right solution for the clue.
Law that led to many curb cuts, for short : ADA
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is the law that led to many curb cuts being implemented to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
Legal proceeding in the grazing meadow, perhaps : SHEEP’S HEARING
The answer "SHEEP'S HEARING" is a play on words, combining "sheep" with "hearing" to create a term that fits the clue "Legal proceeding in the grazing meadow, perhaps." In this case, "hearing" refers to a legal proceeding, while "sheep" ties in with the grazing meadow theme.
Make shipshape, in a way : EDIT
"Make shipshape" can mean to edit or correct something to improve its condition or appearance. Therefore, the answer "EDIT" fits the clue.
March VIP : ST PAT
"March VIP" refers to a notable figure associated with the month of March, which is St. Patrick's Day. The answer "ST PAT" is a common abbreviation for "St. Patrick," making it the correct solution for this clue.
Minor name in constellations? : URSA
"URSA" is the right solution because it refers to the Latin word for bear, and there are two constellations named after bears: Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
National flower of Mexico : DAHLIA
The national flower of Mexico is the dahlia because it is widely recognized and celebrated as a symbol of Mexican culture and heritage.
National flower of Mexico : DAHLIA
The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico as it is native to the country and holds cultural significance in Mexican traditions and celebrations.
News site that hosts the “Future Perfect” reporting project : VOX
"VOX" is the right answer because VOX is a news site known for hosting the "Future Perfect" reporting project, which focuses on effective altruism and making the world a better place.
Ocean Spray snack : CRAISINS
The answer "CRAISINS" is the right solution because it is a brand name for sweetened dried cranberries made by Ocean Spray.
Partnerless : STAG
The word "STAG" is commonly used to describe someone attending an event without a partner or companion.
Perform in a play : ACT
"Perform in a play" is a clue that is looking for a four-letter word. In this case, "ACT" fits perfectly as it means to perform in a play or a theatrical performance.
Placed on a scale : RATED
The word "rated" can mean to place on a scale or to evaluate something based on a scale of quality or importance. In this context, it fits the clue "Placed on a scale."
Salon service, informally : MANI
The answer "MANI" is short for manicure, which is a salon service for grooming and painting the nails.
School support gp. : PTA
The answer "PTA" stands for Parent-Teacher Association, which is a school support group involving parents and teachers working together to support the school and students.
Shows judgment : TSKS
"Shows judgment" can be interpreted as making a disapproving sound, like "tut-tut" or "tsk-tsk." Therefore, the answer "TSKS" fits the clue.
Something to shoot for? : PAR
The term "PAR" is used in golf to represent the number of strokes a skilled player is expected to need to complete a hole or a round. Therefore, in the context of the clue "Something to shoot for?", "PAR" is the correct answer as it refers to the target score that a golfer aims to achieve.
Square one? : NERD
The answer "NERD" fits the clue "Square one?" because a "nerd" is often associated with being intelligent and starting at the beginning or "square one" in terms of social status or coolness.
Star ingredient in Chinese five-spice powder? : ANISE
Anise is a key ingredient in Chinese five-spice powder, providing its distinctive licorice-like flavor. The presence of anise in the mixture is what makes it an essential component of the spice blend.
Sushi component : RICE
The answer "RICE" is correct because rice is a key component of sushi, serving as the base for most types of sushi rolls.
The Mustangs of the ACC : SMU
SMU stands for Southern Methodist University, whose sports teams are known as the Mustangs and are part of the American Athletic Conference (ACC).
The “O” of North Carolina’s OBX : OUTER
The answer "OUTER" is the right solution because OBX stands for Outer Banks, and the "O" in OBX refers to the word "Outer."
Three, in Rome : TRE
"TRE" is the Italian word for "three," and in Rome, Italian is spoken. Therefore, "TRE" is the correct answer to the clue "Three, in Rome."
Timetable locale : DEPOT
"Depot" is the right answer because a timetable is often associated with transportation schedules, and a depot is a common location where transportation vehicles are stored and depart from.
Unenviable grade : DEE
"DEE" is the right answer because in the grading system, "D" is an unenviable grade and "DEE" is a playful way to represent that grade.
Was circumspect about : GOT AT
__ food : HEALTH
The answer "HEALTH" fits the clue "__ food" because "health food" refers to food that is considered beneficial to one's health.
“Call Her Daddy” podcast host Cooper : ALEX
Alex Cooper is one of the hosts of the popular podcast "Call Her Daddy." Therefore, the answer to the clue "“Call Her Daddy” podcast host Cooper" is "ALEX."
“Here we go __” : AGAIN
The phrase "Here we go again" is a common expression used to indicate a recurring situation or event. In this context, "AGAIN" fits perfectly as the answer to complete the phrase.
“Hold your horses” : ONE SEC
"Whoa" is an interjection used to command a horse to stop or slow down. The phrase "hold your horses" is a common idiom that means to wait or be patient. Therefore, "whoa" is the right solution for the clue "Hold your horses!" in a crossword puzzle.
“Hold your horses” : ONE SEC
The phrase "Hold your horses" is an idiom that means to be patient or to slow down. The answer "EASY DOES IT" is a similar expression that conveys the same idea of taking things slowly and carefully. Therefore, "EASY DOES IT" is the right solution for the clue.
“Hold your horses” : ONE SEC
The answer "WHOA!" is the right solution because it is a common expression used to tell someone to stop or slow down, similar to saying "Hold your horses!" in a more concise way.
“Hold your horses” : ONE SEC
unknown
“Hold your horses” : ONE SEC
The phrase "Hold your horses!" is a common expression used to tell someone to wait or be patient. Therefore, the answer "WAIT!" fits the clue.
“Who am __ judge?” : I TO
"I TO" is the right answer because the phrase "Who am I to judge?" is a common expression indicating humility or uncertainty about one's authority to make a judgment.