December 17, 2019 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (33 clues)
• Down Clues (45 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

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• July 25 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 03 2021 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 78 (33 Across, 45 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.7 letters

Across Clues Explained - Tuesday NYT Crossword December 17, 2019

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Boardroom easel display	5
2A	6. Spanish beach	5
3A	11. Sack	3
4A	14. Film character about whom Tyler Perry said "I just don't want to be her age playing her"	5
5A	15. Used a dinghy thingy	5
6A	16. Part of Bennifer, once	3
7A	17. _xygen _iflu_ _ide	11
8A	19. On vacation	3
9A	20. Third piece of a three-piece	4
10A	21. 1813 battle site in the War of 1812	4
11A	22. _ax_ d_iv_r	14
12A	28. Awesomely tough	6
13A	29. Bert who played the Cowardly Lion	4
14A	30. Appearance of a comet, maybe	4
15A	31. Horse and buggy users	5
16A	33. Caution in a school zone	3
17A	36. R_od_ Isl_n_ Red	15
18A	40. Really binges (on)	3
19A	41. Express viewpoints	5
20A	42. Build up	4
21A	43. "Smart" boy's name	4
22A	44. Bunch at a fruit stand	6
23A	46. _ranklin D_l_no _oosevelt	14
24A	51. Dirty pics	4
25A	52. Fifth-century barbarians	4
26A	53. Rug rat	3
27A	54. _ _rr_e_	11
28A	61. Spanish eye	3
29A	62. Kick out	5
30A	63. First lady before Michelle	5
31A	64. Detectives, for short	3
32A	65. Books, informally	5
33A	66. Pedicurist's board	5

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Boardroom easel display"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a visual representation of the relations between certain quantities plotted with reference to a set of axes
• Words that mean the same thing: graphical record, chart
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GRAPH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Spanish beach"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLAYA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "11. Sack"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a flexible container with a single opening
• Words that mean the same thing: pocketbook, bagful, bulge
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Film character about whom Tyler Perry said "I just don't want to be her age playing her""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MADEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Used a dinghy thingy"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OARED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Part of Bennifer, once"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: JLO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. _xygen _iflu_ _ide"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODORLESSGAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. On vacation"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that kill intentionally and with premeditation
• Words that mean the same thing: dispatch, turned, remove
• The opposite would be: on
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OFF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Third piece of a three-piece"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
• Words that mean the same thing: invest, robe, singlet
• The opposite would be: divest
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: VEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. 1813 battle site in the War of 1812"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of an iroquoian people formerly living on the south shore of lake erie in northern ohio and northwest pennsylvania and western new york
• Words that mean the same thing: Lake Erie
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. _ax_ d_iv_r"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ______________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIRELESSWORKER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "28. Awesomely tough"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BADASS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. Bert who played the Cowardly Lion"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAHR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Appearance of a comet, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a sign of something about to happen
• Words that mean the same thing: bode, Sultanate of Oman, prognostic
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OMEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. Horse and buggy users"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an american follower of the mennonite religion
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AMISH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "33. Caution in a school zone"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SLO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. R_od_ Isl_n_ Red"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _______________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HEADLESSCHICKEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "40. Really binges (on)"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a doctor's degree in optometry
• Words that mean the same thing: Doctor of Optometry, oculus dexter, OD
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "41. Express viewpoints"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
• Words that mean the same thing: speak up, reckon, speak out
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OPINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "42. Build up"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that blatant or sensational promotion
• Words that mean the same thing: plug, hoopla, ballyhoo
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HYPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "43. "Smart" boy's name"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALEC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "44. Bunch at a fruit stand"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that any of various juicy fruit of the genus vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters
• Words that mean the same thing: grapeshot, grape, grape vine
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GRAPES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. _ranklin D_l_no _oosevelt"

Quick Info: This answer has 14 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ______________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FEARLESSLEADER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "51. Dirty pics"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
• Words that mean the same thing: porno, soot, porn
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SMUT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "52. Fifth-century barbarians"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of a nomadic people who invaded europe in the 4th century
• Words that mean the same thing: Hun, Kraut, Jerry
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HUNS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "53. Rug rat"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small amount (especially of a drink)
• Words that mean the same thing: sum up, tally, tot up
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "54. _ _rr_e_"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HAIRLESSDOG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "61. Spanish eye"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OJO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "62. Kick out"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that force to leave or move out
• Words that mean the same thing: boot out, oust, exhaust
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EXPEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "63. First lady before Michelle"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAURA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "64. Detectives, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle; approximately equal to 3.14159265358979323846...
• Words that mean the same thing: private detective, sherlock, PI
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "65. Books, informally"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about literature.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that something that is read
• Words that mean the same thing: learn, record, show
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: READS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "66. Pedicurist's board"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a hard grey-black mineral consisting of corundum and either hematite or magnetite; used as an abrasive (especially as a coating on paper)
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EMERY

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Tuesday Crossword Down Clues - December 17, 2019 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Modern food concern, for short	3
2D	2. Totally cool	3
3D	3. "Without further ___ ..."	3
4D	4. The "p" in m.p.g.	3
5D	5. Divides evenly	6
6D	6. Entertainer's crew	5
7D	7. Stands the test of time	5
8D	8. Where Che Guevara was born: Abbr.	3
9D	9. Opposite of nay	3
10D	10. Billboards, e.g.	3
11D	11. One-named singer who once led the Sugarcubes	5
12D	12. 1966 Michael Caine title role	5
13D	13. Errand runner	5
14D	18. Prey for barracudas	4
15D	21. Mess up	3
16D	22. Wild no more	5
17D	23. Bean sprouts?	5
18D	24. ___ McNally (mapmaker)	4
19D	25. Pizzeria order	5
20D	26. Load of laundry	4
21D	27. "Didn't think I'd run into you here!"	4
22D	28. ___-chic (fashion style)	4
23D	31. New Balance competitor	5
24D	32. Browser option	3
25D	33. FaceTime alternative	5
26D	34. Biblical outcast	5
27D	35. Much of binary code	4
28D	37. Laze	4
29D	38. Weapon used when saying "En garde!"	4
30D	39. Land between Nigeria and Sudan	4
31D	43. Without which earth is just "eh"?	3
32D	44. Wilder who played Willy Wonka	4
33D	45. Do some down-and-dirty fighting	6
34D	46. Camera setting	5
35D	47. Word derived from the Japanese for "picture writing"	5
36D	48. Buicks and Bentleys	5
37D	49. Ripped bit	5
38D	50. Downtimes	5
39D	54. ___ Highness	3
40D	55. Firefighter's tool	3
41D	56. Brewpub offering, for short	3
42D	57. Cooke who sang "Twistin' the Night Away"	3
43D	58. Like a pregnant woman at about 40 weeks	3
44D	59. Bobby of the Boston Bruins	3
45D	60. The "G" of L.G.B.T.	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Modern food concern, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about food & drink.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GMO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Totally cool"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a unit of absorbed ionizing radiation equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material
• Words that mean the same thing: radian
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. "Without further ___ ...""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a rapid active commotion
• Words that mean the same thing: stir, fuss, hustle
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. The "p" in m.p.g."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Divides evenly"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that one of two equal parts of a divisible whole
• Words that mean the same thing: half, one-half, halve
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HALVES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Entertainer's crew"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a temporary police force
• Words that mean the same thing: posse comitatus
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POSSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Stands the test of time"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the temporal end; the concluding time
• Words that mean the same thing: final stage, go, survive
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LASTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Where Che Guevara was born: Abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Opposite of nay"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an affirmative
• Words that mean the same thing: yeah
• The opposite would be: nay
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: YEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Billboards, e.g."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a public promotion of some product or service
• Words that mean the same thing: advertizing, advertising, ad
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. One-named singer who once led the Sugarcubes"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BJORK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. 1966 Michael Caine title role"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALFIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Errand runner"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an employee whose duties include running errands
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GOFER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Prey for barracudas"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in europe and america; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
• Words that mean the same thing: eel
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EELS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Mess up"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that to make a mistake or be incorrect
• Words that mean the same thing: stray, slip, drift
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ERR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "22. Wild no more"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that correct by punishment or discipline
• Words that mean the same thing: cultivate, domesticise, tame
• The opposite would be: wild
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAMED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "23. Bean sprouts?"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
• Words that mean the same thing: musical theme, thought, melodic theme
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IDEAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "24. ___ McNally (mapmaker)"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the basic unit of money in south africa; equal to 100 cents
• Words that mean the same thing: Witwatersrand, Reef, Ayn Rand
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RAND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "25. Pizzeria order"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a share of something
• Words that mean the same thing: cut, fade, slicing
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SLICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "26. Load of laundry"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a thin coat of water-base paint
• Words that mean the same thing: lave, launder, slipstream
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "27. "Didn't think I'd run into you here!""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OHHI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "28. ___-chic (fashion style)"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BOHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "31. New Balance competitor"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ASICS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "32. Browser option"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MSN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "33. FaceTime alternative"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SKYPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "34. Biblical outcast"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a person afflicted with leprosy
• Words that mean the same thing: lazar
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEPER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "35. Much of binary code"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
• Words that mean the same thing: single, one, ace
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ONES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "37. Laze"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that hang loosely or laxly
• Words that mean the same thing: lounge about, arse about, loll around
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LOLL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "38. Weapon used when saying "En garde!""

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a fencing sword similar to a foil but with a heavier blade
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EPEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "39. Land between Nigeria and Sudan"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small piece of paper that is supposed to be removed when a hole is punched in a card or paper tape
• Words that mean the same thing: Chadic, Republic of Chad, Lake Chad
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHAD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "43. Without which earth is just "eh"?"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a hard clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the products of human creativity; works of art collectively
• Words that mean the same thing: prowess, nontextual matter, artistry
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "44. Wilder who played Willy Wonka"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (genetics) a segment of dna that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding dna as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
• Words that mean the same thing: factor, cistron
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GENE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "45. Do some down-and-dirty fighting"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RASSLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "46. Camera setting"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about history.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FSTOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "47. Word derived from the Japanese for "picture writing""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EMOJI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "48. Buicks and Bentleys"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
• Words that mean the same thing: machine, motorcar, automobile
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AUTOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "49. Ripped bit"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
• Words that mean the same thing: smidgin, iota, smidgen
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHRED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "50. Downtimes"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished
• Words that mean the same thing: still, lull, calm
• The opposite would be: agitate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LULLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "54. ___ Highness"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 40 Down: "55. Firefighter's tool"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
• Words that mean the same thing: ax
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AXE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Down: "56. Brewpub offering, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IPA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 42 Down: "57. Cooke who sang "Twistin' the Night Away""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
• Words that mean the same thing: surface-to-air missile
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 43 Down: "58. Like a pregnant woman at about 40 weeks"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that that which is deserved or owed
• Words that mean the same thing: imputable, ascribable, referable
• The opposite would be: undue
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DUE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 44 Down: "59. Bobby of the Boston Bruins"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that canadian hockey player (born 1948)
• Words that mean the same thing: Bobby Orr, Robert Orr
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 45 Down: "60. The "G" of L.G.B.T."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that someone who practices homosexuality; having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex
• Words that mean the same thing: cheery, homophile, homo
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: GAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	46	59.0%
Short Answer	21	26.9%
History	4	5.1%
Abbreviation	3	3.8%
Movies/Film	1	1.3%
Literature	1	1.3%
Food & Drink	1	1.3%
Celebrity/Entertainment	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	33
Down Clues	45
Total Clues	78
Average Answer Length	4.7 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	15 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Tuesday, and these puzzles are usually medium level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 4 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

More Crossword Resources

Explore more crossword solutions and helpful guides to improve your solving skills:

• September 21 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 15 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 08 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 13 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• NYT Crossword Answers Hints July 21
• December 30 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 08 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 15 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 29 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 29 2021 NYT Clues Solutions

Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 28, 2025 at 08:24 AM

December 12, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (32 clues)
• Down Clues (39 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

Related Puzzles

Check out these other crossword solutions and helpful guides:

• Ny Times Crossword Answers May 15 2025
• May 06 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• 27447 Fri Jan 03 2025 Ny Times
• Todays Down Crossword NYT September 19
• December 15 2022 NYT Clues Solutions

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Saturday, December 12, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 71 (32 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.7 letters

December 12, 2020 Across Hints: NYT Saturday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Company with the most U.S. patents per year since 1993	3
2A	4. "Quiet, you!"	5
3A	9. Bench targets, for short	4
4A	13. Profession in Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle"	10
5A	16. "That said ...," in a text	4
6A	17. Narrow band of storms	10
7A	18. Country whose flag stripe colors are exactly the same as Guinea's except in reverse order	4
8A	19. Tilt	9
9A	20. Longtime college basketball coach Kruger	3
10A	21. Tempur-Pedic acquisition of 2012	5
11A	22. What doesn't require a return envelope?	7
12A	25. Gets ready to throw	8
13A	29. Focus of some celebrity suits	5
14A	30. Suffix with elector	3
15A	31. What shows what you're made of?	10
16A	34. "Whew!"	12
17A	37. They cover all the bases	12
18A	41. "Capeesh?"	10
19A	44. Drink, in a way	3
20A	45. Demands	5
21A	46. Rhythmic pattern in jazz	8
22A	49. I, for one	7
23A	52. Having overhangs, say	5
24A	53. Symbol for elasticity, in economics	3
25A	54. Like cars in a junkyard, maybe	9
26A	58. Story lines	4
27A	60. Luxury wear for showgoers	10
28A	62. Fairy ___	4
29A	63. Order in the court	10
30A	64. Host	4
31A	65. Annual event first held at the Hollywood Athletic Club	5
32A	66. Org. with X-rays	3

Let's Solve the Across Clues Together!

Here are helpful hints to solve each clue. Remember, crossword puzzles are like word games - have fun with them!

Clue 1 Across: "1. Company with the most U.S. patents per year since 1993"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IBM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "4. "Quiet, you!""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that silence (someone) by uttering `shush!'
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHUSH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "9. Bench targets, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that either of two large muscles of the chest
• Words that mean the same thing: pectoral muscle, pectoral, musculus pectoralis
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PECS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Profession in Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle""

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MEATPACKER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "16. "That said ...," in a text"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OTOH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "17. Narrow band of storms"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SQUALLLINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "18. Country whose flag stripe colors are exactly the same as Guinea's except in reverse order"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a landlocked republic in northwestern africa; achieved independence from france in 1960; mali was a center of west african civilization for more than 4,000 years
• Words that mean the same thing: French Sudan, Republic of Mali
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MALI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "19. Tilt"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a lack of balance or state of disequilibrium
• Words that mean the same thing: mental unsoundness, imbalance, derangement
• The opposite would be: balance
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UNBALANCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Longtime college basketball coach Kruger"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LON

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "21. Tempur-Pedic acquisition of 2012"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEALY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. What doesn't require a return envelope?"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EFILING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "25. Gets ready to throw"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAKESAIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "29. Focus of some celebrity suits"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIBEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "30. Suffix with elector"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
• Words that mean the same thing: wipe out, exhaust, corrode
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "31. What shows what you're made of?"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DNAPROFILE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. "Whew!""

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THATWASCLOSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "37. They cover all the bases"

Quick Info: This answer has 12 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HOMERUNTROTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "41. "Capeesh?""

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
• Words that mean the same thing: realise, sympathise, empathize
• The opposite would be: ununderstood
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UNDERSTOOD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "44. Drink, in a way"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about food & drink.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
• Words that mean the same thing: lap up, lave, swoosh
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "45. Demands"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a condition requiring relief
• Words that mean the same thing: postulate, motivation, ask
• The opposite would be: obviate
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEEDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "46. Rhythmic pattern in jazz"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STOPTIME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "49. I, for one"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
• Words that mean the same thing: subject area, subjugate, dependent
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SUBJECT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "52. Having overhangs, say"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EAVED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "53. Symbol for elasticity, in economics"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a terrorist organization organized in 1959 by student activists who were dissatisfied with the moderate nationalism of the traditional basque party; want to create an independent homeland in spain's western pyrenees
• Words that mean the same thing: Euskadi ta Askatasuna, Basque Homeland and Freedom, Basque Fatherland and Liberty
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "54. Like cars in a junkyard, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RUSTEATEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "58. Story lines"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
• Words that mean the same thing: discharge, arc, spark
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARCS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "60. Luxury wear for showgoers"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OPERACAPES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "62. Fairy ___"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
• Words that mean the same thing: story, tarradiddle, fib
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TALE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "63. Order in the court"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLEASERISE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "64. Host"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
• Words that mean the same thing: peck, good deal, sight
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SLEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "65. Annual event first held at the Hollywood Athletic Club"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about movies/film.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an annual award by the academy of television arts and sciences for outstanding achievements in television
• Words that mean the same thing: Emmy
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EMMYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "66. Org. with X-rays"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an agency established in 2001 to safeguard united states transportation systems and insure safe air travel
• Words that mean the same thing: Transportation Security Administration
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TSA

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Saturday Crossword Down Clues - December 12, 2020 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Pings	3
2D	2. Pass on after passing on	8
3D	3. Representation of the first-born child of "earth mother" and "sky father," in Hawaiian culture	8
4D	4. Flares	6
5D	5. Part of a campus map	4
6D	6. Sch. with the most applications in the U.S.	4
7D	7. Foundation location	4
8D	8. Thusly	5
9D	9. Fluffy dog, for short	3
10D	10. Latin for "and elsewhere"	7
11D	11. Mustard, for one	7
12D	12. Rafter neighbor	7
13D	14. Put on hold	5
14D	15. Diving spot	4
15D	21. On the double	4
16D	23. "It's game over for me"	5
17D	24. Die-hard fan no matter what, in slang	5
18D	26. Amy of "Arrival"	5
19D	27. Alaska, often	5
20D	28. Computer shortcuts	6
21D	32. Hybrid fruit also known as an aprium	5
22D	33. Musical piece with a recurring theme	5
23D	35. Jazzy Jeff, per a 1988 3x platinum album title	5
24D	36. Not so great	5
25D	38. Tapenade discard	8
26D	39. State of being broken	8
27D	40. Flew	4
28D	41. Wins a race against, perhaps	7
29D	42. N as in Nissan?	7
30D	43. Total meltdown	7
31D	47. Heads out, slangily	6
32D	48. Siberian native	5
33D	50. Bumper ___	4
34D	51. Mathematical suffix	5
35D	55. Feel	4
36D	56. Part of San Francisco's Muni system	4
37D	57. A snap	4
38D	59. Hem, e.g.	3
39D	61. Last word of "America the Beautiful"	3

Now Let's Solve the Down Clues!

Down clues go from top to bottom. Use the letters from your across answers to help!

Clue 1 Down: "1. Pings"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Pass on after passing on"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that leave or give by will after one's death
• Words that mean the same thing: leave, will
• The opposite would be: disinherit
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEQUEATH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Representation of the first-born child of "earth mother" and "sky father," in Hawaiian culture"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MAUNAKEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Flares"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an outward bevel around a door or window that makes it seem larger
• Words that mean the same thing: turn out, spread out, rotate
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPLAYS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Part of a campus map"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
• Words that mean the same thing: lobby, residence, antechamber
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Sch. with the most applications in the U.S."

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UCLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Foundation location"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
• Words that mean the same thing: shin, sputter, pelt
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SKIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Thusly"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
• Words that mean the same thing: thus, so, therefore
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HENCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Fluffy dog, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about abbreviation.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a disparaging term for a british person
• Words that mean the same thing: pommy
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Latin for "and elsewhere""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ETALIBI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Mustard, for one"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about celebrity/entertainment.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a commissioned military officer in the united states army or air force or marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COLONEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Rafter neighbor"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that building material used as siding or roofing
• Words that mean the same thing: shake
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHINGLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "14. Put on hold"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a set of data arranged in rows and columns
• Words that mean the same thing: tabularize, shelve, set back
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TABLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "15. Diving spot"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
• Words that mean the same thing: Witwatersrand, Rand
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: REEF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. On the double"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. "It's game over for me""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about sports.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ILOST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Die-hard fan no matter what, in slang"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a prisoner serving a term of life imprisonment
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LIFER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. Amy of "Arrival""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that american revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the boston tea party and signer of the declaration of independence (1722-1803)
• Words that mean the same thing: John Quincy Adams, go, President John Adams
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADAMS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Alaska, often"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a small picture inserted within the bounds or a larger one
• Words that mean the same thing: gusset, insert
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INSET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "28. Computer shortcuts"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a single computer instruction that results in a series of instructions in machine language
• Words that mean the same thing: macro, macro instruction
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MACROS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "32. Hybrid fruit also known as an aprium"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLUOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. Musical piece with a recurring theme"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about music.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a musical form that is often the last movement of a sonata
• Words that mean the same thing: rondeau
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RONDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Jazzy Jeff, per a 1988 3x platinum album title"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard clue about music.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THEDJ

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "36. Not so great"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that something inferior in quality or condition or effect
• Words that mean the same thing: sorry, uncollectible, worsened
• The opposite would be: unregretful, better
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WORSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "38. Tapenade discard"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: ________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OLIVEPIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "39. State of being broken"

Quick Info: This answer has 8 letters. It's a hard clue about geography.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the quality of being vapid and unsophisticated
• Words that mean the same thing: domestication, vapidity, vapidness
• The opposite would be: wildness
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAMENESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "40. Flew"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that move faster
• Words that mean the same thing: hurry, travel rapidly, quicken
• The opposite would be: decelerate, linger
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "41. Wins a race against, perhaps"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that remove from political office
• Words that mean the same thing: unseat
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UNSEATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "42. N as in Nissan?"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a expert clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that one who does not side with any party in a war or dispute
• Words that mean the same thing: inert, electroneutral, achromatic
• The opposite would be: chromatic, positive
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEUTRAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "43. Total meltdown"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a sudden and violent collapse
• Words that mean the same thing: fiasco, walloping, whipping
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEBACLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "47. Heads out, slangily"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the state prevailing during the absence of war
• Words that mean the same thing: serenity, peacefulness, heartsease
• The opposite would be: war
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PEACES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "48. Siberian native"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a member of the mongolian people of central asia who invaded russia in the 13th century
• Words that mean the same thing: Mongol Tatar, Tartar
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TATAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "50. Bumper ___"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that the yield from plants in a single growing season
• Words that mean the same thing: trim, browse, lop
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CROP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "51. Mathematical suffix"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium clue about science/technology.

Here's how to solve it:

• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TUPLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "55. Feel"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a easy clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
• Words that mean the same thing: appear, look
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "56. Part of San Francisco's Muni system"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a hard clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
• Words that mean the same thing: streetcar, tramcar, trolley car
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TRAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "57. A snap"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium clue about general knowledge.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
• Words that mean the same thing: loose, well-to-do, comfortable
• The opposite would be: uneasy, difficult
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "59. Hem, e.g."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a easy clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that fasten by sewing; do needlework
• Words that mean the same thing: sew together, tailor-make, stitch
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "61. Last word of "America the Beautiful""

Quick Info: This answer has 3 letters. It's a medium clue about short answer.

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
• Words that mean the same thing: ocean
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	51	71.8%
Short Answer	7	9.9%
Geography	3	4.2%
Abbreviation	2	2.8%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.8%
Music	2	2.8%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%
Movies/Film	1	1.4%
Sports	1	1.4%
Science/Technology	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	32
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	71
Average Answer Length	5.7 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	12 letters

Fun Tips to Solve Crossword Puzzles!

• Start with short words first - they're usually easier!
• Look for clues with blanks to fill in - these are like fill-in-the-blank questions at school
• When letters cross, they must be the same in both words - this helps you check if you're right!
• Today is Saturday, and these puzzles are usually moderate level
• Most clues today are about general knowledge
• The average word today has about 5 letters
• Remember: It's okay to take breaks and come back later with fresh eyes!
• Ask someone for help if you need it - crosswords are more fun with friends!

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Disclaimer: Crossword clues are property of The New York Times. This educational content is designed to help puzzle enthusiasts improve their solving skills.

Last Updated: September 20, 2025 at 06:26 PM