Here's all New York Times Crossword answers for 28 December 2024, Saturday (12-28-24). 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.
+ or – : POLE
The clue "--> or <--" is referring to the symbols used to represent arrows. " -->" is a right arrow and "<--" is a left arrow. The answer "ARROW" fits the clue because it is a general term for a symbol used to indicate direction.
Acts human, proverbially : ERRS
The answer "ERRS" fits the clue "Acts human, proverbially" because it refers to the common saying "To err is human," meaning that making mistakes is a natural part of being human.
Beverage that begins with a bee? : MEAD
"Mead" is a beverage that begins with the letter "B" when pronounced, even though it is spelled with an "M." This play on words is a common crossword clue tactic known as a pun or a phonetic hint.
Birth control option : IUD
An IUD, or intrauterine device, is a form of birth control that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It is a common and effective birth control option, making it the right answer for the clue.
Bit of dust : MOTE
"Mote" is a small particle or bit of dust, making it the correct answer to the clue "Bit of dust."
Bothered : ATE AT
"Bothered" can be another way of saying "ate at" someone, meaning it disturbed or troubled them. So, "ATE AT" is the right solution for this clue.
Call to a crew : LAND HO!
"LAND HO!" is a traditional cry from sailors to signal that land is in sight, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Call to a crew."
Classic red rubber dog toy : KONG
The answer "KONG" is correct because KONG is a well-known brand that produces classic red rubber dog toys.
Clock, e.g. : APP
The answer "APP" fits the clue "Clock, e.g." because it refers to a type of application (app) that can display the time like a clock.
Compromises : BENDS
The word "compromises" can mean making concessions or bending one's position to reach an agreement. "BENDS" is a synonym for compromises in this context.
Corinthian character : RHO
In the Greek alphabet, Rho is the 17th letter and is commonly associated with Corinthian character, making it the right solution for this crossword clue.
Cues for applause : TA-DAS
"TA-DAS" are often used as cues for applause after a performance or a magic trick, making it a fitting answer to the clue.
Deflection technique : WHATABOUTISM
"Whataboutism" is a deflection technique where someone responds to an accusation or difficult question by making a counter-accusation or raising a different issue. It is a term used to describe this specific form of argumentative strategy.
Fans flip for it : SPORTS PAGE
The answer "SPORTS PAGE" is correct because fans often eagerly turn to the sports page of a newspaper or website to get updates and news about their favorite teams and athletes.
Far from floor-reaching : MINI
The word "MINI" suggests something small or short, which is the opposite of floor-reaching. Therefore, "MINI" is the right answer to the clue "Far from floor-reaching."
Feature of English, but not Chinese : TENSE
In English, verbs can change tense to indicate when an action occurred (past, present, future), while in Chinese, verbs do not change tense in the same way. Therefore, "TENSE" is the correct answer that fits the clue "Feature of English, but not Chinese."
First trimester woe, informally : PUKING
"Puking" is a common informal term for vomiting, which is a common symptom experienced by some women during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Fringe : British English
The TV show "Fringe" is a science fiction series created by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci. It is a US show, and in British English, "fringe" is a term used to refer to bangs, the hair that hangs over the forehead. So "British English" is the right answer as it provides a different interpretation of the word "fringe" in the context of the clue.
Gear that’s a homophone of 25- : TENTS
The number 25 sounds like "twenty-five" which is a homophone for "tents." So, "tents" is the correct answer to the clue "Gear that’s a homophone of 25-."
Get lost : BEAT IT
"Get lost!" is an idiom that means to go away or leave. "Shoo!" is a common word used to shoo away animals or people, making it a suitable answer for the clue.
Hand-drawn frame : CEL
The answer "CEL" is the right solution because it refers to a celluloid sheet used in traditional animation, which is often hand-drawn to create each frame of the animation.
High-strung : EDGY
The word "UPTIGHT" is the right solution because it means being tense, anxious, or easily agitated, which aligns with the clue "High-strung."
Hilda or Zelda, to Sabrina the Teenage Witch : AUNT
In the TV show "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," Hilda and Zelda are Sabrina's aunts. Therefore, the answer to the clue "Hilda or Zelda, to Sabrina the Teenage Witch" is "AUNT."
Hurt : STUNG
The answer to "Hurt" is "PAINED" because it means to experience physical or emotional distress.
Hybrid sportswear : SKORT
SKORT is the right solution because it is a hybrid garment that combines the characteristics of a skirt and shorts, making it suitable for sports and casual wear.
Iconic accessory worn by 1-Down : DEERSTALKER CAP
The answer is "DEERSTALKER CAP" because it is a famous accessory often associated with the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, who is referred to as "1-Down" in the crossword puzzle.
Impart : LEND
"Lend" can mean to impart or give something temporarily, such as money or a book. This fits the definition of "impart," making it the right solution for the clue.
Infamous bushranger Kelly : NED
NED is the right answer because Ned Kelly is a well-known Australian bushranger, and NED is a common short form of the name "Ned."
Jenkins known as “The First Lady of Children’s Music” : ELLA
The answer is "ELLA" because Ella Jenkins is a well-known children's musician often referred to as "The First Lady of Children's Music."
Juilliard offering, in brief : MFA
The answer "MFA" stands for Master of Fine Arts, which is an advanced degree offered by Juilliard, a prestigious performing arts conservatory.
Kind of vaccine : MRNA
mRNA vaccines are a type of vaccine that use a small piece of genetic material from the virus to trigger an immune response. This makes "MRNA" the correct answer for the clue "Kind of vaccine."
Label that first signed the Rolling Stones : DECCA
The answer is "DECCA" because it is the record label that first signed the Rolling Stones to a recording contract in 1963.
Letter-shaped apparel : T-SHIRT
The answer "T-SHIRT" fits the clue "Letter-shaped apparel" because a T-shirt is a type of clothing that is shaped like the letter T when laid flat.
Lightheaded? : BLOND
"Faint" is the right answer because feeling lightheaded can often be described as feeling faint or on the verge of passing out.
Major inits. in biomedical research : NIH
"NIH" stands for the National Institutes of Health, which is a major organization that conducts and funds biomedical research.
Manage : EKE OUT
"Cope" means to deal effectively with something difficult. "Manage" can be a synonym for "cope" in this context. Therefore, "Cope" is the right solution for the clue "Manage".
Medical container : VIAL
"VIAL" is the right solution because a vial is a small container typically used to hold liquid medicine or other substances in a medical setting.
Narrative thread : ARC
The term "arc" is often used to describe the storyline or narrative thread of a story or movie. It represents the development or progression of the plot from beginning to end, making it a fitting answer for the clue "Narrative thread."
One asked “to change his ways,” per a 1988 hit : MAN IN THE MIRROR
The clue "One asked 'to change his ways,' per a 1988 hit" is a reference to the song by Michael Jackson titled "Man in the Mirror," where the lyrics include the line "If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change." Therefore, the answer "MAN IN THE MIRROR" fits perfectly.
One for the books, in brief? : CFO
The answer "CFO" stands for "Chief Financial Officer," which is a position often referred to as "one for the books" because it is a high-ranking position in a company's financial department.
One side of a deal : SELLER
The answer "SELLER" fits the clue "One side of a deal" because in a transaction, there are typically two parties involved - the buyer and the seller. The seller is the one who is offering something for sale, making them one side of the deal.
Paleolithic, for example : DIET
The Paleolithic era is also known as the Stone Age, during which people had a diet primarily consisting of foods that could be hunted or gathered, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meat. Therefore, "DIET" is the right answer.
Part of some superhero names : GIRL
"GIRL" is the right answer because it is a common suffix in superhero names, such as Supergirl and Batgirl. It signifies a female superhero counterpart to a male superhero.
Posthumous title : SAINT
The title "Saint" is often given posthumously to individuals recognized for their exceptional holiness and virtue by the Catholic Church.
Schedule inits. : TBA
"TBA" stands for "To Be Announced," which is often used when a specific time or date has not yet been determined or finalized. In the context of a schedule, "TBA" indicates that the information will be provided at a later time.
Sesquipedalia : TEN-DOLLAR WORDS
The term "sesquipedalia" refers to long words or long-winded speech. "Ten-dollar words" is a colloquial phrase that means the same thing, making it a fitting answer for the clue.
Simple operation : SUM
The word "SUM" can refer to a simple mathematical operation of adding numbers together. So, for the crossword clue "Simple operation," "SUM" fits as the right answer.
Singer in the family? : RAT
The answer "RAT" fits the clue "Singer in the family?" because a rat is a rodent that is known for making high-pitched squeaking sounds, which could be humorously interpreted as singing within a family of rats.
Singles, say : SONGS
The answer "SONGS" fits the clue "Singles, say" because a single can refer to a song released individually, making "SONGS" a suitable answer.
Snakes were famously driven from it, in legend : EIRE
The answer "EIRE" is the right solution because in legend, St. Patrick is said to have driven the snakes out of Ireland, which is also known as Eire in the Irish language.
Some celebrity memorabilia : SIGNED PHOTOS
The answer "SIGNED PHOTOS" fits the clue "Some celebrity memorabilia" because signed photos are items associated with celebrities that fans often collect as memorabilia.
Sources of retirement income : PENSION FUNDS
"Pension funds" are a common source of retirement income as they are funds set aside by employers or individuals during their working years to provide income during retirement.
Strong draft : STOUT
"Strong draft" is a wordplay clue where "Strong" can mean robust or powerful, and "draft" can refer to a type of beer. "Stout" is a type of strong, dark beer, making it the right solution to the clue.
Target scores : PARS
PARS are the target scores in golf, representing the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take on a hole or a round.
There are nine in a shot glass : Abbr.
The answer "Abbr." stands for abbreviation, which is short for "nine" in a shot glass, as in a shot glass typically holds about one ounce, which is often abbreviated as "oz" for ounces.
They start with coin tosses, in brief : OTS
The answer "OTS" is short for "overtime periods," which start with coin tosses in sports games.
Tree creature of fiction : ENT
ENT is the right solution because in fiction, Ents are tree-like creatures from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" series. They are sentient beings that resemble trees and are known for their wisdom and strength.
Unit cost? : RENT
The clue "Unit cost?" is a play on words where "unit" refers to an apartment or space that can be rented, making "RENT" the correct answer.
Wanting : SHORT
"Wanting" and "needy" are synonymous in the context of lacking something essential or desirable. In this case, "needy" fits the clue as it describes someone who is lacking or in need of something.
What are you doing? : SOLVING
The answer "NO NO NO!" fits the clue "What are you doing!?" because it is a common phrase used to express disapproval or to stop someone from doing something.
What’s left of F1 : ESC
The answer "ESC" is the right solution because it is what's left of the word "race" in "F1" (removing the letters R, A, and E). This is a common crossword clue technique where part of a word is removed to get the answer.
World’s highest-paid athlete in 2024 : RONALDO
“Neat!” : WOW!
The phrase "Cool beans!" is a colloquial expression used to convey enthusiasm or approval. It is often used to express excitement or agreement with something. In this context, it fits perfectly as a response to the exclamation "Neat!"
“Sorry, that’s the last one” : WE’RE FRESH OUT
The phrase "WE'RE FRESH OUT" means that there are no more of the item available, which fits the clue "Sorry, that’s the last one."