New York Times Crossword Clues and Answers for 14 January 2025, Tuesday

Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 14 January 2025, Tuesday (01-14-25). 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.

Absolute champion : WORLD-BEATER

"World-beater" is a term used to describe someone who is an absolute champion or top performer on a global scale. It fits the clue perfectly as it conveys the idea of being the best in the world.


Attempted : TOOK A SHOT AT

The clue "Attempted" is a synonym for "took a shot at," meaning to make an effort or try something.


Back end : REAR

"Back end" is a common way to refer to the rear part of something, such as a car or an animal. In this context, "REAR" is a synonym for the back end, making it the correct answer.


Barnyard sound : MAA!

The answer "BAA" is the right solution because it represents the sound that a sheep makes.


Bit of snow : FLAKE

The answer "FLAKE" fits the clue "Bit of snow" because a snowflake is a small, delicate piece of snow that falls from the sky.


Cause for a lawsuit : TORT

"TORT" is the right answer because a tort is a civil wrong that causes harm to someone, giving them the right to sue for damages. In the context of the clue, a cause for a lawsuit often involves a tortious act.


Challenge for a person drawing lots? : ART TEST

The answer "ART TEST" is a play on words, combining "art" which relates to drawing, with "test" which signifies a challenge or examination. So, the clue "Challenge for a person drawing lots?" cleverly suggests an artistic challenge, making "ART TEST" the fitting answer.


Cheer after a gooooooal! : OLE!

"OLE!" is a common cheer in soccer matches, often shouted by fans after a goal is scored. It fits the clue "Cheer after a gooooooal!" perfectly.


Chilly remark? : BRR!

The answer "BRR!" is the sound we make when we feel cold, like a chilly remark would make us feel.


Choices at salons : STYLES

The answer "STYLES" fits the clue "Choices at salons" because when you go to a salon, you have the option to choose different haircuts or hairdos, which are referred to as styles.


Closest pal, informally : BFF

The answer "BFF" stands for "Best Friends Forever," which is a common term used to refer to one's closest friend informally.


Cries of understanding : AHAS

The answer "AHAS" is the right solution because it represents the sound people make when they suddenly understand or realize something.


Enemy of the Rebel Alliance : EMPIRE

The Empire is the main antagonist of the Rebel Alliance in the Star Wars universe, making it the enemy of the Rebel Alliance.


For the first time : NEWLY

The answer "NEWLY" fits the clue "For the first time" because something that is done "newly" is being done for the first time.


Fossil hunters’ project : DIG

The answer "DIG" is the right solution because fossil hunters typically dig in the ground to search for and uncover fossils.


Friend of Flower and Thumper : BAMBI

Bambi is the friend of Flower and Thumper in the Disney movie "Bambi."


Gaelic language : ERSE

"Erse" is an archaic term for the Gaelic language spoken in Ireland, also known as Irish Gaelic. It fits the clue "Gaelic language" because it directly refers to a type of Gaelic language.


Game that ends when the snitch is caught … and whose positions end 17-, 24-, 36- and 48- : QUIDDITCH

In the game of Quidditch, the positions Seeker, Beater, Chaser, and Keeper end at the specified numbers in the clue. The game also ends when the Seeker catches the Golden Snitch.


Hamm of soccer fame : MIA

The answer "MIA" is the right solution because "Hamm" refers to Mia Hamm, a famous soccer player.


Handbill : FLIER

The answer "FLIER" is the right solution because a handbill is often referred to as a "flier" in informal language. Both terms are commonly used interchangeably to describe a small printed advertisement or notice.


Hardy and Petty : TOMS

The answer "TOMS" refers to the first names of famous British authors Thomas Hardy and Tom Petty.


Head off : DEPART

The term "avert" means to prevent or ward off something undesirable, which fits the clue "Head off" well as it implies taking action to prevent something from happening.


Home for Shrek : SWAMP

The answer to "Home for Shrek" is "SWAMP" because Shrek lives in a swamp in the movie.


Home of the Craters of the Moon National Monument : IDAHO

The Craters of the Moon National Monument is located in Idaho, making "IDAHO" the correct answer.


Individuals : ONES

"Individuals" is a synonym for "ones," as both refer to specific persons or things. In this context, "ones" is a suitable answer for the clue.


Integra maker : ACURA

The answer "ACURA" fits because Acura is a car manufacturer that makes the Integra model.


It locks locks into place : GEL

The answer "GEL" is the right solution because gel is a substance that can be used to lock hair locks into place, making it a suitable answer for the clue.


It washes a shore : TIDE

The answer "TIDE" is the right solution because the tide is the regular rise and fall of the sea caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, and it washes ashore as it comes in and goes out.


Jost’s “S.N.L.” Weekend Update co-host : CHE

The answer "CHE" fits because Colin Jost's "Saturday Night Live" Weekend Update co-host is Michael Che, making "CHE" the correct answer.


Korean fermented cabbage : KIMCHI

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made of fermented cabbage. It is a well-known staple in Korean cuisine, making "Korean fermented cabbage" a fitting clue for the answer "KIMCHI."


Labor day event : BIRTH


Lead-in to rock or weekly : ALT-

"ALT-" is the right solution because it can be combined with "rock" to form "alt-rock" and with "weekly" to form "alt-weekly", both of which are common terms.


Like a birthday candle prior to your making a wish : LIT

The clue is describing the state of a birthday candle before it is blown out to make a wish, which is "LIT" as it is burning.


Like the yellow polka dot bikini, in a 1960 #1 novelty song : TEENIE

The answer "TEENIE" fits the clue because it describes something small or tiny, which matches the idea of a bikini with small yellow polka dots.


Liquid-Plumr alternative : DRANO

"DRANO" is the right answer because it is a well-known brand of drain cleaner that is commonly used as an alternative to Liquid-Plumr.


Make good as new : RESTORE

The word "heal" means to make something good as new, typically referring to the process of restoring health or repairing damage.


News of an alien landing, probably : HOAX

The answer "HOAX" fits because news of an alien landing is likely to be a fake or deceptive story, which is commonly referred to as a hoax.


Not just some : ALL

The answer to "Not just some" is "ALL" because "ALL" means every or everything, implying that it includes everything and not just a few things.


One in charge of a sting operation? : BEEKEEPER

A beekeeper is in charge of managing and overseeing a sting operation involving bees, making it a clever play on words for this crossword clue.


Ones trying not to be sacked, in brief : QBS

The answer "QBS" stands for quarterbacks, who are players trying not to be sacked in football. "QBS" is a common abbreviation for quarterbacks in sports lingo.


Org. that helped phase out CFCs : EPA

The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, helped phase out CFCs by implementing regulations and policies to protect the ozone layer. CFCs were found to deplete the ozone layer, and the EPA played a key role in addressing this environmental issue.


Parks who sparked a bus boycott : ROSA

Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist who famously sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 by refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. This act of defiance helped ignite the civil rights movement in the United States.


Person often flirting with disaster : STORM CHASER

A "storm chaser" is a person who actively seeks out dangerous weather conditions, like tornadoes, hurricanes, or severe storms. They are often flirting with disaster by putting themselves in risky situations to study or experience extreme weather phenomena.


Piece of equipment seen at the Paralympics : SIT-SKI

The answer "SIT-SKI" is correct because it is a piece of equipment specifically designed for athletes with lower body impairments to participate in skiing events at the Paralympics.


Polo, e.g. : SHIRT

The answer "SHIRT" fits the clue "Polo, e.g." because a polo is a type of shirt, specifically a style of collared shirt.


Poorly behaved child : BRAT

"BRAT" is the right solution because it is a commonly used term to describe a poorly behaved child. It is a succinct and widely recognized answer in crossword puzzles.


Popular Thanksgiving item : SWEET POTATO

The answer "SWEET POTATO" is a popular Thanksgiving item as it is commonly served as a side dish during Thanksgiving meals in the form of sweet potato casserole or sweet potato pie.


Posed : SAT

"Posed" is a past tense verb that means to sit or rest in a specific position. The word "SAT" is the past tense of the verb "sit," making it a suitable answer for the clue "Posed."


Prominent part of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume : SHELL

The answer "SHELL" is correct because a shell is a prominent part of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume as it is a key characteristic of the turtles in the series.


Pseudonym in a landmark legal case : ROE

"ROE" is the pseudonym used in the landmark legal case Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States.


Publicity hound : ATTENTION SEEKER

"Publicity hound" is a term used to describe someone who constantly seeks attention from the public or media. "Attention seeker" is a synonymous phrase that captures the essence of someone who craves attention.


Qatari leader : EMIR

The term "EMIR" refers to a Qatari leader because it is the title given to the ruler of Qatar.


Quadruple award achievement, informally : EGOT

EGOT stands for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony - the four major entertainment awards. So, achieving all four awards is informally known as EGOT.


Question after a joke bombs : GET IT? Down 1 Emphasized, textwise

The answer "GET IT?" fits the clue "Question after a joke bombs" because it is a common phrase used to check if someone understands a joke that didn't land well. As for the clue "Emphasized, textwise," the answer is "BOLDED" because it means to make text stand out by making it darker and thicker, which is commonly done by using bold formatting in text.


Remark while fanning oneself, maybe : IT’S HOT

The answer "IT'S HOT" fits the clue because when someone is fanning themselves, they are likely feeling hot and may make the remark "It's hot."


Rescue animal, maybe : PET

The answer "PET" fits the clue "Rescue animal, maybe" because when an animal is rescued, it often becomes a pet to the person who rescued it.


Response in the game of Battleship : HIT!

In the game of Battleship, when a player correctly guesses the location of an opponent's ship, the opponent would respond with "HIT!" to indicate that their ship has been hit.


Ruling from a tennis line judge : IT’S IN!

The phrase "IT'S IN!" is what a tennis line judge would say when a ball lands within the boundaries of the court, indicating a valid point.


Scientific Bill : NYE

The answer "NYE" refers to the popular science educator Bill Nye. He is commonly known as "The Science Guy," making him a fitting answer for the clue "Scientific Bill."


Signature Caitlin Clark shot, informally : THREE

The answer "THREE" fits the clue because in basketball, a shot made from beyond the arc is referred to as a "three-pointer." Caitlin Clark is known for her exceptional three-point shooting, making "THREE" the informal signature shot associated with her.


Small brown songbird : WREN

A wren is a small brown songbird, making it the right solution for the clue.


Spelled-out chant at the World Cup : U-S-A!

This answer is correct because "U-S-A!" is a common chant used to support the United States national team at the World Cup.


Supports illegally, in a way : ABETS

"Supports illegally" is a common definition of the word "abets." In this context, "abets" means to assist or encourage someone in committing a crime or wrongdoing.


The “A” of A/C : AIR

The "A" in A/C stands for air, as air conditioning systems work by circulating cool air to regulate the temperature.


Tournament ranking : SEED

The term "seed" is commonly used in tournaments to refer to a player or team's ranking or position in the competition. The higher the seed, the better the ranking, usually determined by past performance or skill level.


TV host who got asked a lot of questions : ALEX TREBEK

Alex Trebek was the long-time host of the popular TV game show "Jeopardy!", where contestants are asked a lot of questions.


Types : ILKS

The answer "ILKS" is the right solution because it is a synonym for "types." It is a concise and commonly used word in crossword puzzles to describe different categories or kinds.


Vessel in a slip : YACHT

The answer "YACHT" fits the clue "Vessel in a slip" because a slip is a space in a marina where boats, including yachts, are moored or docked.


Word before deck or hand : UPPER …

The word "UPPER" can be followed by "deck" or "hand" to form common phrases like "upper deck" or "upper hand".


___ Beta Kappa : PHI

The answer is "PHI" because it is the Greek letter represented in the phrase "___ Beta Kappa." In this case, the answer is referring to the academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa.


___ de Triomphe : ARC

The answer "ARC" fits the clue because the full name of the famous monument in Paris is "Arc de Triomphe." The word "Arc" is a key part of the monument's name.


“I like this so much!” : WHAT A TREAT!

The phrase "WHAT A TREAT!" is commonly used to express delight or enjoyment about something, making it a fitting answer to the clue "I like this so much!"


“I wasn’t impressed” : MEH

"Meh" is a slang term used to express indifference or lack of enthusiasm, which fits the clue "I wasn't impressed" well.


“Milk’s favorite cookie” brand : OREO

"OREO" is the right solution because it is a well-known brand that is often associated with the phrase "Milk's favorite cookie."


“Vissi d’arte” opera : TOSCA

"TOSCA" is the right answer because "Vissi d’arte" is a famous aria from the opera "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini.


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