Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 29 March 2024, Friday (03-29-24). 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.
All bent out of shape : WARPED
"WARPED" means bent or twisted out of shape, making it a fitting answer to the clue "All bent out of shape."
Animal whose singular and plural forms are the same : MOOSE
The word "moose" is both singular and plural, meaning it stays the same whether referring to one moose or multiple moose. This makes it an animal whose singular and plural forms are the same.
Anyone’s game : TOSS-UP
The phrase "Anyone's game" suggests that the outcome is uncertain and could go either way, similar to a coin toss. "TOSS-UP" is a term used to describe a situation where the outcome is uncertain or evenly balanced, making it the right solution for this clue.
Braced for impact : TENSED
"TENSED" is the right solution because when someone is braced for impact, they typically tense up their muscles in anticipation of the impact. This physical reaction is often automatic and helps to protect the body from injury.
Breaks down : SOBS
The word "breaks down" is a clue for a word that means to cry uncontrollably, which is the definition of the word "sobs".
Bust : CATCH RED-HANDED
Canine woe : MANGE
"MANGE" is the right solution because it is a common skin condition in dogs that causes itching and hair loss, which can be considered a canine woe.
Card game combos : MELDS
In card games like Rummy, a "meld" refers to a set of matching cards that a player lays down on the table. So, "MELDS" is the right answer for "Card game combos" because it specifically describes these groupings of cards.
Cartoonish cry : ACK!
The answer "ACK!" is the cartoonish cry of the character "Garfield" from the comic strip of the same name. It is a distinctive and recognizable exclamation often used in comic strips and cartoons.
Christ the Redeemer wore a facsimile of his jersey in 2023 : PELE
The answer is "PELE" because Pele is a famous Brazilian soccer player often associated with the country, and Christ the Redeemer is located in Brazil. Pele is known for wearing the jersey number 10, hence the reference to his jersey.
Commotion : DIN
The word "fracas" is defined as a noisy disturbance or quarrel. It fits the clue "commotion" perfectly as it suggests a noisy and chaotic situation.
Computer acronym since the 1960s : ASCII
ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange and has been used in computers since the 1960s to represent text and characters using numbers. It is a widely used encoding standard for computers to communicate and display text.
Contents of a drug shipment : KILOS
The answer "KILOS" is the right solution because drug shipments are often measured in kilograms, which is commonly referred to as "kilos" in slang terms.
Deep divide : CHASM
"Chasm" is the right solution because a chasm is a deep fissure or gap in the earth's surface, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Deep divide."
Doctrines : TENETS
"TENETS" is the right solution for "Doctrines" because a tenet is a principle or belief that forms part of a larger set of beliefs or doctrines.
Drag racer? : SLED
unknown
Drench : SOP
The answer "SOP" is the right solution because it means to soak or drench something, usually a piece of bread or cake, in a liquid.
Emoji that might be used in response to a funny text : SKULL
unknown
Enlightened Buddhist : ARHAT
An Arhat is a term used in Buddhism to refer to someone who has reached enlightenment and attained nirvana. They are considered to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death, achieving the highest spiritual goal in Buddhism.
Fancy : WANT
The word "fancy" can mean a desire or a liking for something, which is synonymous with "want."
Feel the pain : ACHE
The word "ACHE" is commonly associated with feeling pain or discomfort in the body, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Feel the pain."
Felt crummy : AILED
The word "ailed" means to feel unwell or sick, which is another way to say "felt crummy."
First book in the series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” familiarly : GOT
The answer "GOT" is the right solution because "GOT" is a common abbreviation used for the title of the first book in the series "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin, which is "Game of Thrones."
Form a connection where sparks fly : WELD
"WELD" is the right answer because when two metal pieces are welded together, it forms a strong connection where sparks can fly during the welding process.
Geometry suffix : -GON
The suffix "-gon" is used in geometry to refer to a polygon with a specific number of sides. For example, a pentagon has five sides. So, "-gon" is a common ending for geometric shapes, making it the right answer for "Geometry suffix."
Give a card, in a way : HIT
"Hit" can mean to deal a card in a card game, so giving a card can be referred to as a "hit" in this context.
Great mysteries : ENIGMAS
"ENIGMAS" is the right answer because enigmas are defined as great mysteries or puzzles that are difficult to understand or solve.
Greeted someone across the room : WAVED HI
The answer "WAVED HI" fits the clue because waving is a common way to greet someone from a distance, and saying "hi" is a common friendly greeting.
High light? : SUN
The answer "SUN" works for "High light?" because the sun is a natural source of light that is high in the sky.
Home to the world’s largest population of Indian rhinos : ASSAM
Assam is the right answer because it is a state in India known for having the world's largest population of Indian rhinoceroses in Kaziranga National Park.
Hunks of plastic? : KENS
"KENS" is the right solution because "Hunks of plastic" refers to the popular Barbie doll's boyfriend, Ken.
I.M. innovator : AOL
The answer "AOL" fits because AOL was a pioneering company in the early days of the internet, making it an innovator in the field of instant messaging (I.M.).
Informal negation : AIN’T
The answer "AIN’T" is an informal contraction of "am not," "is not," or "are not," making it an appropriate choice for the clue "Informal negation."
Jumble : MESS
The word "jumble" means a confused or disordered mass, which is synonymous with "mess." Therefore, the answer to "Jumble" is "MESS."
Juno, to Jupiter : SISTER Down 1 A magician might use a hidden one
"SISTER" is the right answer to "Juno, to Jupiter" because Juno is Jupiter's sister in Roman mythology. "unknown"
Large combo : OCTET
The answer "OCTET" fits the clue "Large combo" because an octet refers to a group or set of eight people or things.
Lecture : TALK AT
Like much of Azerbaijan’s population : SHIA
The majority of Azerbaijan's population practices Shia Islam, making "SHIA" the right answer.
Off-target remark? : I MISSED
The clue "Off-target remark?" suggests a statement that missed the mark or was inaccurate. The answer "I MISSED" is a play on words, indicating that the speaker missed the target in both a literal and figurative sense.
One of the Minecraft protagonists : STEVE
Steve is the default name for the main player character in the popular video game Minecraft.
Ones who might roast you : CANNIBALS
"Cannibals" are ones who might roast you in the sense that they may cook and eat human flesh. This answer fits the clue well.
Place for bucks at the bar? : MECHANICAL BULL
The answer "MECHANICAL BULL" fits the clue "Place for bucks at the bar?" because a mechanical bull is a popular attraction found in some bars where patrons can ride and try to stay on, mimicking the experience of riding a real bull. "Bucks" can refer to both money and male deer, so the wordplay here suggests a fun activity involving both elements.
Pull back : RECOIL
"Pull back" is a phrasal verb that means to withdraw or move away from something. "Retreat" is a synonym for this phrasal verb, making it the right solution for the crossword clue.
Question asked while tapping : IS THIS THING ON?
The answer "IS THIS THING ON?" fits the clue "Question asked while tapping" because it is a common phrase used when someone is checking if a microphone or electronic device is working properly by tapping on it and asking if it is on.
Saint ___ : KITTS
Sauron’s realm : MORDOR
MORDOR is the realm ruled by Sauron in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" series. It is a dark and desolate land where Sauron's power is centered.
Screw off : UNTWIST
"UNTWIST" is the right solution because it means to reverse the twisting motion used to secure a screw, essentially allowing you to remove or "screw off" the screw.
Solving puzzles, e.g. : PASTIME
The answer "PASTIME" fits the clue "Solving puzzles, e.g." because solving puzzles is a common leisure activity or hobby, which can be described as a pastime.
Spanish letter with or without a tilde : ENE
"ENE" is the Spanish letter N, which can have a tilde (ñ) to become "Ñ". It fits the clue because it is a Spanish letter that can be written with or without a tilde.
Speed of sound : MACH ONE
The speed of sound is commonly referred to as Mach One, which is the speed of sound in dry air at sea level.
Spoil everything : BLOW IT
The answer "BLOW IT" fits the clue "Spoil everything" because the phrase "blow it" is a colloquial term meaning to make a mistake or mess something up completely.
Sweet message bearer : FORTUNE COOKIE
The answer "FORTUNE COOKIE" fits because fortune cookies typically contain a sweet message or fortune inside them.
They’re only human : MORTALS
The answer "MORTALS" fits the clue "They’re only human" because mortals are human beings who are subject to death.
Those who’ve gone wrong? : DESERTERS
The clue "Those who’ve gone wrong?" is a play on words, suggesting that "those" have strayed or gone astray from the right path. "Deserters" fits this clue as it refers to people who have abandoned their duties or allegiance, essentially going wrong in their commitments.
Thrower of a reception : PASSER
The answer "PASSER" is the right solution because a passer is someone who throws a reception in football.
Totally clear : WIDE OPEN
Tripping : ON LSD
The word "tripping" can be a slang term for being under the influence of the drug LSD (also known as acid). "On acid" is a common phrase used to describe this state, and "ONACID" is simply a condensed version of that phrase that fits the crossword puzzle.
Trying to get a hold of : DIALING
The answer "DIALING" fits the clue "Trying to get a hold of" because when you are trying to reach someone by phone, you typically dial their number to establish a connection.
Typing meas. : WPM
The abbreviation "WPM" stands for "Words Per Minute," which is a common measure of typing speed. So, "Typing meas." refers to WPM as it is used to measure how fast someone can type.
Was ready for : FELT UP TO
___ acid : AMINO
The answer "AMINO" is the right solution because it is a common prefix used in chemistry to indicate the presence of an amino group.
“All good here!” : I’M SET!
"I'M SET!" is a phrase that means "All good here!" or "I am ready and prepared," making it the right answer to the clue.
“Come on, ___!” : PEOPLE
“Don’t delay!” : STAT!
The phrase "Don't delay!" is an urgent call to take action immediately. The answer "ACT NOW!" perfectly captures this sense of urgency and conveys the idea of taking immediate action.
“The Book of Mormon” org. : LDS
LDS stands for Latter-day Saints, which is the shortened name for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the organization behind "The Book of Mormon."
“To ___ Coy Mistress” (Andrew Marvell poem) : HIS
The answer is "HIS" because it completes the title of the poem "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell.