Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 22 February 2025, Saturday (02-22-25). 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.
A pie to the face, slipping on a banana peel, etc. : SLAPSTICK
The answer "SLAPSTICK" is correct because slapstick comedy refers to physical humor involving exaggerated actions and situations, such as getting a pie to the face or slipping on a banana peel.
A star of 2018’s “A Star Is Born” : LADY GAGA
Lady Gaga is the correct answer because she starred as the lead actress in the 2018 movie "A Star Is Born."
Acts of service and words of affirmation, for two : LOVE LANGUAGES
The answer "LOVE LANGUAGES" fits the clue because acts of service and words of affirmation are two examples of ways people express and understand love, which are known as love languages.
Alternatives to vinyl : CDS
The answer "CDS" is the right solution because CDs are an alternative to vinyl records for playing music. Both vinyl records and CDs are physical formats for storing and playing music.
Apple corps? : GENIUS BAR
The clue "Apple corps?" is a play on words that suggests a group related to Apple. The answer "GENIUS BAR" refers to the tech support service at Apple stores, making it a clever and fitting response to the clue.
Attack words that might be spoken as a compliment : I HATE YOU!
unknown
Base for fire-walking : COALS
COALS are often used as the base for fire-walking because they retain heat for a long time and provide a stable surface for walking on hot coals without getting burned.
Best Actor Oscar winner for 1974’s “Harry and Tonto” : ART CARNEY
Art Carney won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in the 1974 film "Harry and Tonto," making him the correct answer to the clue.
Big shot performer? : HUMAN CANNONBALL
This answer fits the clue because a human cannonball is a performer who is shot out of a cannon as part of a circus act, making them a big shot performer in a literal sense.
Blow away : STUN
STUN means to blow away or amaze someone with a great impact or surprise.
Breather : PAUSE
"Breather" is a clue that indicates a short break or pause. "Rest" means to take a break or pause from activity, making it the correct answer.
Candies originally named for their imperfect shape : MILK DUDS
The candies were named "Milk Duds" because they were originally intended to be perfectly round but often came out misshapen due to manufacturing issues, resembling duds or failures.
Cattle identifier : EAR TAG
The answer "EAR TAG" is the right solution because ear tags are commonly used to identify cattle by attaching them to the ears for easy recognition and tracking.
Certain airplane seating : COACH
"COACH" is the right answer because it refers to the standard seating class on an airplane, which is typically less expensive than first or business class.
Chicken , panko-breaded dish : KATSU
"KATSU" is the right solution because it is a Japanese dish made of chicken that is breaded with panko breadcrumbs and then fried.
Classic stop on the vaudeville circuit : PEORIA
Peoria is a city in Illinois that was a popular stop on the vaudeville circuit due to its large theaters and enthusiastic audiences.
Club purchase that comes with rules of etiquette : LAP DANCE
unknown
Cons : ANTIS
"Cons" is a slang term for disadvantages or negative aspects. "ANTIS" is a short form of "anti," which means against or opposed to something. So, "ANTIS" fits the clue as it means being against something, like the cons of a situation.
Do a deep dive : PLUNGE
"PLUNGE" is the right answer because "do a deep dive" is a phrase that means to plunge or dive deeply into something, often used metaphorically to indicate thorough exploration or investigation.
Dollars : U.S.
The answer "U.S." is the abbreviation for United States, which is commonly used to refer to dollars in crossword puzzles.
Down Under wear : UGGS
"UGGS" is a type of footwear commonly worn in Australia, which is also known as "Down Under." Therefore, "UGGS" is the right solution for the clue "Down Under wear."
Fish that can have two sets of jaws : EEL
Eels are the fish that can have two sets of jaws, known as pharyngeal jaws, which are located in their throat and help them eat their prey.
Fluency-building subj. : ESL
The clue "Fluency-building subj." is asking for a subject that helps improve fluency in a language. ESL stands for English as a Second Language, which is a subject specifically designed to help non-native speakers improve their English fluency.
Funky : RIPE
Great Plains aquifer that supplies over a quarter of U.S. irrigation water : OGALLALA
The Ogallala Aquifer is a large underground water source located beneath the Great Plains of the United States, supplying over a quarter of U.S. irrigation water. Therefore, "OGALLALA" is the correct answer for this clue.
Has-___ : BEEN
The answer "BEEN" completes the phrase "Has-___" to form the word "Has been," which is a common phrase in English meaning something that was true in the past but may not be true now.
Heels : CADS
How criticism of a pastry chef might be delivered? : TARTLY
The word "TARTLY" is a play on words, as it can mean both the way criticism is delivered (harshly or sharply) and also relates to a pastry chef as "tart" is a type of pastry.
Huge quantity : SEA
unknown
Keaton of Hollywood : DIANE
"Diane Keaton" is a well-known Hollywood actress, which makes "DIANE" the correct answer for the clue "Keaton of Hollywood."
Lee with Oscars : ANG
"Lee" is a common abbreviation for director Spike Lee, who has won Oscars. "Ang" is a common abbreviation for director Ang Lee, who has also won Oscars.
Like the exterior columns at the Parthenon : DORIC
The Doric order is a style of architecture characterized by simple, sturdy columns with no base and a plain capital. The exterior columns at the Parthenon in Athens are indeed Doric columns, making "DORIC" the correct answer.
Loire Valley grape variety : GAMAY
Gamay is a grape variety commonly grown in the Loire Valley region of France, known for producing light-bodied red wines.
Lots and lots : SCADS
The word "aton" is a contraction of "a ton", which means a large amount or quantity. Therefore, "lots and lots" can be represented by "aton".
Messy prank : EGGING
"Egging" is the right answer because it is a common messy prank where someone throws eggs at a person's property, such as their car or house, as a form of vandalism.
Must, old-style : SHALT
"Must, old-style" is a clue that is asking for a word meaning "must" in an old-fashioned or formal way. The word "SHALT" is an old-fashioned way of saying "shall" or "must" in English, particularly in the context of commands or obligations.
Network that broadcasts the N.A.A.C.N.P. Image Awards : BET
BET stands for Black Entertainment Television, which is the network that broadcasts the N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards, making it the correct answer to the clue.
Ones who should prepare for their day of reckoning? : MATH TEAM
The answer "MATH TEAM" fits the clue because members of a math team are individuals who prepare for competitions or challenges, making them the ones who should prepare for their day of reckoning.
Peter out : EBB
"Ebb" is a synonym for "peter out," meaning to gradually diminish or lessen. In this context, both words convey the idea of something fading away or decreasing in intensity.
Picks, with “for” : OPTS …
"OPTS" is the right solution because "opts for" means to choose or select something. In this context, "picks" is synonymous with "opts for."
Pros : AYES
The word "AYES" is a synonym for "pros" in the context of voting in favor of something, especially in parliamentary procedures.
Protective hairstyle, familiarly : LOCS
The answer is "LOCS" because "locs" are a type of protective hairstyle where hair is twisted or braided into individual sections.
Put on : ADD
The clue "Put on" is referring to the act of wearing something, and "wore" is the past tense of "wear". Therefore, "wore" is the correct solution.
Puts in the oven : HEATS
This is the right answer because "heats" is a synonym for putting something in the oven to cook or warm up.
Reveals oneself, with “up” : OPENS …
This is the right solution because "opens up" is a common phrase meaning to reveal oneself or one's thoughts.
School of whales : GAM
A group of whales is called a "gam". Therefore, "School of whales" is a clue for the crossword answer "GAM".
Show for which Eddie Murphy won an Emmy, in brief : SNL
The answer "SNL" stands for Saturday Night Live, a show for which Eddie Murphy won an Emmy.
Sign of a hit : SRO
SRO stands for "Standing Room Only," which is a sign that a show or event is very popular and all the seats are sold out. Therefore, SRO is a sign of a hit.
Solutions that sound like problems? : LYES
The answer "LYES" is the right solution because it sounds like "lies," which are problems or untruths.
Stanley ___ : CUP
The Stanley Cup is a championship trophy awarded to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff winner. The answer "CUP" fits the clue "Stanley ___" as it refers to the Stanley Cup trophy in the context of sports.
They’re not always kept in the loop : BELTS
unknown
Time to celebrate female friendship, in a neologism : GALENTINE’S DAY
"Galentine's Day" is a neologism that combines "Gal" (short for girl) and "Valentine's Day," creating a term that specifically celebrates female friendship. It gained popularity through the TV show "Parks and Recreation," where the character Leslie Knope hosts a Galentine's Day brunch for her female friends.
Title family in a 2013-23 ABC sitcom : GOLDBERGS
The answer "GOLDBERGS" fits the clue because "The Goldbergs" is a popular ABC sitcom that aired from 2013 to 2023, centering around the Goldberg family.
Utterance that’s usually made in pairs : TSK
"TSK" is the right solution because it is a common expression made in pairs to show disapproval or annoyance. It is often said as "tsk tsk" in quick succession.
What a bout! : SPREE
"SPREE" is the right solution because a bout of shopping or indulgence is often referred to as a "shopping spree" or a "binge spree."
Who said “I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music” : BACH
Johann Sebastian Bach was a famous composer known for his religious beliefs and dedication to his music. The quote provided reflects Bach's humility and belief that his music was divinely inspired, making "BACH" the correct answer.
Word after something, anything or nothing : … ELSE
The phrase "something else," "anything else," and "nothing else" are common expressions in English, making "... ELSE" the appropriate word to follow them.
World’s heaviest snake (up to 500 pounds) : GREEN ANACONDA
The Green Anaconda is the world's heaviest snake, known to reach up to 500 pounds in weight. Its size and weight make it the correct answer to the clue.
Young women : LASSES
"LASSES" is a term often used to refer to young women, especially in Scottish or British English. It is a common and fitting answer for the clue "Young women."
Zendaya’s role on “Euphoria” : RUE
The answer is "RUE" because Zendaya plays the character Rue Bennett on the TV show "Euphoria."
___-wolf : SHE Down 1 ___ table
unknown
“Au contraire” : NAY
"BUT NO!" is the right solution because it is an informal way to contradict or disagree with someone, which is the meaning of "Au contraire!" in French.
“Got it?” : AM I CLEAR?
"AHA!" is a common expression used to show understanding or realization, similar to saying "Got it!" in response to new information.
“How dare they!” : THE NERVE!
The phrase "The nerve!" is a common expression used to show disbelief or outrage at someone's audacity or boldness, making it a fitting response to the clue "How dare they!"
“So sorry!” : MY BAD!
MY BAD is a colloquial expression used to acknowledge a mistake or apologize, making it a fitting response to "So sorry!" in casual conversation.
“Wow, that’s … amazing!” : OH … DAMN!
The answer "OH … DAMN!" fits because it is an expression of surprise or amazement commonly used in informal language.