Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 24 September 2024, Tuesday (09-24-24). 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.
Absorbs, with “up” : SOPS …
"SOPS" is the right solution because "sop up" is a common phrase that means to absorb liquid by soaking it up.
Bathroom powder : TALC
TALC is a type of powder commonly used in bathrooms, especially as talcum powder for personal hygiene and skincare.
Beltway bigwigs : POLS
The term "POLS" is a common abbreviation for politicians, which are also known as "Beltway bigwigs" because they are influential figures in the political world, often found in Washington D.C.
Boston herald? : PAUL REVERE
The Boston Herald is a newspaper, and Paul Revere was a famous figure in American history known for his midnight ride to warn of British troops during the American Revolution. The answer "PAUL REVERE" is a play on words, as the clue is hinting at a person associated with Boston.
Bread served with baba ghanouj : PITA
The bread commonly served with baba ghanouj is "PITA" bread, making it the right answer to the clue.
Bronco or Beetle, e.g. : AUTO
The clue "Bronco or Beetle, e.g." is looking for a word that fits the category of "AUTO", which is short for automobile and can refer to both a Ford Bronco and a Volkswagen Beetle.
Choice for the indifferent : ANY
The answer "ANY" fits the clue "Choice for the indifferent" because "any" implies a lack of preference or selection, making it a suitable option for someone who is indifferent.
Clear out : VACATE
"Clear out" is a phrase that means to leave or empty a space. "Vacate" is a synonym for leaving or emptying a place, making it the right solution for this clue.
Comedy club host : EMCEE
The term "emcee" is a common abbreviation for "master of ceremonies," which is a person who hosts an event or performance, such as a comedy club.
Comes down as a wintry mix : SLEETS
SLEETS is the right answer because it refers to a wintry precipitation of small ice pellets.
Concluded : OVER
"Over" can mean concluded or finished in a situation or event, making it a fitting answer to the clue "Concluded."
Condo, e.g. : UNIT
"UNIT" is the right answer because a condo is typically divided into separate living spaces called units.
Consent (to) : ACCEDE
"Consent (to)" is a clue asking for a word that means to agree or give in to a request or demand. The word "ACCEDE" means to agree or consent to a demand or request, making it the right solution to this clue.
Derrière : REAR
The word "derrière" is a French term for "behind" or "bottom." "TUSH" is a slang term that means the same thing, making it the right solution for this clue.
Doe : deer
The term "doe" is commonly used to refer to a female deer. Therefore, "deer" is the right answer as it is a general term that includes both male and female deer.
Evidence of healing : SCAB Down 1 Smooth over, in a way
The answer "SCAB" fits the clue "Evidence of healing" because a scab forms over a wound as it heals.
Extra attention, in brief : TLC
The answer "TLC" stands for "tender loving care," which is a phrase commonly used to refer to giving someone or something extra attention and care.
Fish that can swim backward : EEL
An eel is a type of fish known for its ability to swim backward due to its elongated, snake-like body and unique muscle structure that allows it to move in reverse easily.
Gerund suffix : -ING
The suffix "-ing" is commonly added to verbs to form a gerund, which is a noun that represents an action or state of being. Therefore, "Gerund suffix" is a clue that is asking for the letters "-ing" as the answer.
Grazing land : LEA
"Lea" is a term that refers to a meadow or a piece of grassy land used for grazing animals. This makes it a suitable answer for the clue "Grazing land."
Hair removal brand : NAIR
NAIR is a well-known brand that specializes in hair removal products such as creams, wax strips, and sprays. Therefore, it is the correct answer to the clue "Hair removal brand."
Half-___ (coffee order) : CAF
The term "CAF" is short for "café," which is another word for coffee. So, "Half-CAF" refers to a coffee order that is half regular coffee and half decaffeinated coffee.
Hike : RAISE
The word "hike" can mean to increase or raise, as in raising prices or raising a hand. So, "RAISE" is the right answer for this clue.
Hoosier hoopers : PACERS
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indiana, known as the "Hoosier State." Therefore, "Hoosier hoopers" is a clever clue that hints at the team name "PACERS."
Hot summer period named for the constellation Sirius : DOG DAYS
The term "DOG DAYS" refers to the hottest period of summer, named after the Dog Star, Sirius, in the constellation Canis Major. This period is traditionally associated with the rise of Sirius in the sky.
Item in a tailor’s kit : PIN
A pin is a common tool used by tailors to hold fabric in place while sewing, making it an essential item in a tailor's kit.
Item of apparel for Zorro or Dracula : CAPE
The answer "CAPE" fits the clue because both Zorro and Dracula are known for wearing capes as part of their iconic outfits.
Kansas City star? : TRAVIS KELCE
The clue "Kansas City star?" is a play on words. Travis Kelce is a star player for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, making him the fitting answer to this clue.
Kind of chip named for its inventor, Ignacio Anaya : NACHO
The answer "NACHO" fits because Ignacio Anaya is credited with inventing nachos, which are a popular snack made with tortilla chips and melted cheese.
Lengthen with unnecessary material, as a speech : PAD
"PAD" is the right solution because when you pad a speech, you add unnecessary material to make it longer, similar to padding a resume with irrelevant information.
Like a drive in the woods? : ERRANT
The word "errant" can mean wandering or straying from the correct path, which fits the clue "like a drive in the woods" as a drive in the woods may involve taking a wandering or indirect route.
Like the Bosporus, notably : NARROW
The Bosporus is a narrow strait, so the answer "NARROW" fits the clue "Like the Bosporus, notably".
London lad : CHAP
"London lad" is a British term for a young man, and "chap" is a British slang term for a man or boy. So, "chap" is the right answer to the clue "London lad" because it fits the definition of a young man in British English.
Molecule bit : ATOM
An atom is the smallest unit of a chemical element, making it a fundamental building block of molecules. Therefore, a "molecule bit" can be referred to as an atom.
Multiple : SEVERAL
"Multiple" means more than one or many. "Several" is a synonym for multiple, meaning a small number more than two.
Nickname for dad : PAPA
"PAPA" is a common nickname for dad in many cultures, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
One of 20 quadrillion worldwide, per a recent estimate : ANT
unknown
One way to pay : CARD
The answer "CARD" fits the clue "One way to pay" because paying with a card is a common method of making a payment in modern times.
Org. for the SEC and ACC : NCAA
The NCAA is the organization that oversees college sports in the United States, including the SEC (Southeastern Conference) and ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference).
Part of an online thread : EMAIL
The answer "EMAIL" fits the clue "Part of an online thread" because in an online conversation or discussion thread, participants often communicate with each other by sending emails to each other.
Personnel in vestments : CLERGY
The answer "CLERGY" fits the clue because clergy are individuals who wear vestments as part of their religious attire.
Pie variety whose pronunciation inspires debate : PECAN
The pronunciation of "PECAN" as either "PEE-can" or "puh-KAHN" is debated, hence it fits the clue "Pie variety whose pronunciation inspires debate."
Prison divisions : CELLS
Cells are the individual rooms in a prison where inmates are confined.
R.I.S.D. grad’s degree : MFA
The answer is "MFA" because an MFA is a Master of Fine Arts degree, which is commonly earned by graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design (R.I.S.D.).
Reddit Q&As : AMAS
The answer "AMAS" is the right solution because "AMA" stands for "Ask Me Anything" on Reddit, and the plural form of "AMA" is "AMAS," referring to multiple Reddit Q&As.
Road crew’s supply : SALT
The answer "SALT" is the right solution because road crews use salt to melt ice and snow on roads during winter to improve traction and safety.
Sampled a beet, say : ATE
The clue "Sampled a beet, say" is a hint to take the action of "sampling" and apply it to the word "beet" to get the answer "ATE", which means to consume food.
San Francisco examiner? : FORTY-NINER
The term "Forty-Niner" refers to the people who migrated to California in 1849 during the Gold Rush. The San Francisco Examiner is a newspaper based in San Francisco, and the nickname "Forty-Niner" is commonly associated with the city due to its history.
Signals on set : CUES
"CUES" is the right solution because in a film or theater production, signals given to actors to perform certain actions or lines are called cues.
Single or double : HIT
The answer "HIT" fits the clue "Single or double" because in baseball, a "hit" can refer to either a single hit or a double hit.
Smart ___ (wiseacre) : ALEC
The term "wiseacre" is often associated with someone who is smart or clever. "Alec" is a common name that fits the blank and also means "smart."
Southwest forecast, for short : ETA
The answer "ETA" stands for Estimated Time of Arrival, which is a term commonly used in forecasts to indicate when something is expected to arrive.
State trees of Massachusetts : ELMS
The American Elm is the state tree of Massachusetts, making "elms" the correct answer to the clue.
Surveys : SCANS
"Surveys" can mean to examine or inspect closely, which is synonymous with "scans." In this context, "scans" is the right answer because it fits the definition of examining or looking over something carefully.
Symbol in the sky above Gotham City : BAT
This is the right solution because a bat is a symbol commonly associated with Batman, the superhero who protects Gotham City.
Total dump : STY
The word "STY" refers to a place where pigs are kept and can be seen as a total dump due to the messiness and unpleasant smell associated with it.
Trim, as a photo : CROP
"CROP" is the right answer because when you trim a photo, you are essentially removing unwanted parts of the image to focus on a specific area or subject, which is what cropping does.
Untapped, as potential : LATENT
The word "latent" means existing but not yet developed or realized. In the context of the clue "Untapped, as potential," "latent" fits perfectly as it describes potential that is present but has not been fully utilized or realized yet.
Uses Airbnb or Vrbo : RENTS
The answer "RENTS" fits the clue "Uses Airbnb or Vrbo" because when someone uses Airbnb or Vrbo, they are typically renting a place to stay for a short period of time.
Very, in slang : HELLA
"Hella" is a slang term commonly used to mean "very" or "extremely" in informal speech, especially in Northern California. It is often used to intensify an adjective or adverb.
Walker who wrote “The Color Purple” : ALICE
Alice Walker is a well-known American author who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Color Purple". Therefore, the answer to the crossword clue "Walker who wrote 'The Color Purple'" is "ALICE".
Was out in front : LED
The answer "LED" fits the clue "Was out in front" because "LED" is the past tense of "lead," which means to be in front or to guide a group.
Washington post? : VALLEY FORGE
The "Washington post" refers to Valley Forge because it is where George Washington and his troops camped during the American Revolutionary War.
What baking soda and vinegar simulate, in a classic science fair experiment : LAVA
When baking soda and vinegar react, they create a bubbly, foamy eruption that resembles the flowing movement of lava. This classic science fair experiment demonstrates a simple chemical reaction that mimics the behavior of a volcanic eruption, hence the answer "LAVA" is the correct solution.
What someone counting sheep wishes to be : ASLEEP
The answer "ASLEEP" fits the clue because when someone is counting sheep, they are usually trying to fall asleep.
What tahini is made from : SESAME
The answer "SESAME" is correct because tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds.
World Heritage Site in Jordan : PETRA
Petra is a famous archaeological site in Jordan known for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. It is designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its cultural significance and historical importance.
Zendaya’s role on “Euphoria” : RUE
The answer is "RUE" because Zendaya plays the character Rue Bennett on the TV show "Euphoria."
[Not my typo] : [SIC]
The term "sic" is used in brackets after a quote in writing to indicate that any errors or unconventional spelling in the original text are reproduced exactly as they appeared.
[Shaking my head] : [TSK]
The answer "[TSK]" is the right solution because "tsk" is an onomatopoeic word often used to convey disapproval or disappointment, which is commonly associated with the action of shaking one's head.
___-warrior (certain activist) : ECO
The term "eco-warrior" is commonly used to refer to an environmental activist. In this context, "ECO" is a shortened form of "ecological" or "environmental," making it the correct answer to the clue.
“Bye-bye,” to Bonaparte : ADIEU
The word "Adieu" is a French term commonly used to say goodbye. Bonaparte was a French military leader, so "Adieu" is a fitting answer for saying goodbye to him.