July 15, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (43 clues)
• Down Clues (32 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips
• Related Crossword Solutions

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Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 75 (43 Across, 32 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.0 letters

Across Clues Explained - Wednesday NYT Crossword July 15, 2020

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. ___ rock (Queen's onetime musical style)	4
2A	5. Start of many volcano names	5
3A	10. Line at an airport	4
4A	14. Mustang, e.g.	4
5A	15. A bug might produce one	5
6A	16. "Now!"	4
7A	17. Place	4
8A	18. Charlie follower	5
9A	19. It might send you to the moon	4
10A	20. Tennis player with a Career Golden Slam (winning all four majors and an Olympic gold)	6
11A	22. Digitize, as a document	6
12A	24. Hangs tight	7
13A	26. Military formation	7
14A	27. Facility	4
15A	28. Pointy features on Vulcans and elves	4
16A	29. Info on a flight board, in brief	3
17A	32. Text of gratitude	3
18A	33. Pitcher's asset	3
19A	34. They're often stored in towers	3
20A	37. Commercial district in Tokyo known as a fashion center	7
21A	39. Actress Kristen of the "Twilight Saga" series	7
22A	41. Off-white shade	5
23A	42. "Can't you see, people are trying to work!"	3
24A	44. British sailor, in slang	5
25A	45. Film ratings org.	4
26A	46. Lead-in to boy or follower of yoo	3
27A	47. Big skiing destination	4
28A	48. Actor Schreiber	4
29A	49. ___ commentary	5
30A	51. "___ we forget"	4
31A	53. Food also known as ladies' fingers	4
32A	54. O'Connor's successor on the Supreme Court	5
33A	55. Things drawn with compasses	4
34A	56. Yak	3
35A	57. Informal "yes"	7
36A	59. L x w x h	3
37A	60. ___ B. Wells, co-founder of the N.A.A.C.P.	3
38A	61. Western range	7
39A	62. Kerfuffle	3
40A	63. Little part of a big wheel	3
41A	64. Grants may come out of it	3
42A	65. The youngest host in its history is Drew Barrymore (age 7): Abbr.	3
43A	66. Lepidopterist's need	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. ___ rock (Queen's onetime musical style)"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 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: GLAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Start of many volcano names"

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 lightweight horse kept for riding only
• Words that mean the same thing: ride, wax, go up
• The opposite would be: hop out, wane
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MOUNT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Line at an airport"

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 compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
• Words that mean the same thing: cab, hack, taxi
• 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: CABS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Mustang, e.g."

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 motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
• Words that mean the same thing: automobile, car, machine
• 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: AUTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. A bug might produce one"

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 wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
• Words that mean the same thing: computer error, wrongdoing, misplay
• 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: ERROR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. "Now!""

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 as soon as possible
• 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: ASAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Place"

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 the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
• Words that mean the same thing: stead, place, position
• 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: LIEU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Charlie follower"

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 low triangular area of alluvial deposits where a river divides before entering a larger body of water
• 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: DELTA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. It might send you to the moon"

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 an independent agency of the united states government responsible for aviation and spaceflight
• Words that mean the same thing: National Aeronautics and Space 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: NASA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "20. Tennis player with a Career Golden Slam (winning all four majors and an Olympic gold)"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 letters. It's a hard 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: AGASSI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "22. Digitize, as a document"

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: SCANIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Hangs tight"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: SITSPAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "26. Military formation"

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 any of the bones of the fingers or toes
• 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: PHALANX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "27. Facility"

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 freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort
• Words that mean the same thing: rest, relief, comfort
• The opposite would be: difficulty
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EASE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "28. Pointy features on Vulcans and elves"

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 the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
• Words that mean the same thing: spike, capitulum, pinna
• 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: EARS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "29. Info on a flight board, in brief"

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 system for screening luggage in airports; an agent passes a swab around or inside luggage and then runs the swab through a machine that can detect trace amounts of explosives
• Words that mean the same thing: explosive trace detection
• 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: ETD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "32. Text of gratitude"

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: THX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "33. Pitcher's asset"

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 human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
• Words that mean the same thing: build up, limb, weapon system
• The opposite would be: disarm
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "34. They're often stored in towers"

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 a soft bluish-white ductile malleable toxic bivalent metallic element; occurs in association with zinc ores
• Words that mean the same thing: compact disc, CD, compact disk
• 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: CDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "37. Commercial district in Tokyo known as a fashion center"

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: SHIBUYA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "39. Actress Kristen of the "Twilight Saga" series"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that united states film actor who portrayed incorruptible but modest heros (1908-1997)
• Words that mean the same thing: Dugald Stewart, Jimmy Stewart, James Maitland Stewart
• 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: STEWART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "41. Off-white shade"

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 smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
• Words that mean the same thing: drop, ivory, bead
• 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: PEARL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "42. "Can't you see, people are trying to work!""

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: SHH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "44. British sailor, in slang"

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 man of english descent
• Words that mean the same thing: John Bull
• 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: LIMEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "45. Film ratings org."

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium 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: MPAA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "46. Lead-in to boy or follower of yoo"

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: HOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "47. Big skiing destination"

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 large mountain system in south-central europe; scenic beauty and winter sports make them a popular tourist attraction
• Words that mean the same thing: alp, the Alps
• 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: ALPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "48. Actor Schreiber"

Quick Info: This answer has 4 letters. It's a medium 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: LIEV

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "49. ___ commentary"

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 attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
• Words that mean the same thing: colouration, distort, colorize
• The opposite would be: black-and-white, discolor
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COLOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "51. "___ we forget""

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 being ten more than forty
• Words that mean the same thing: fifty, 50, l
• 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: LEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "53. Food also known as ladies' fingers"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that long green edible beaked pods of the okra plant
• Words that mean the same thing: Abelmoschus esculentus, okra plant, lady's-finger
• 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: OKRA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "54. O'Connor's successor on the Supreme Court"

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: ALITO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "55. Things drawn with compasses"

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: arc, arch, electric discharge
• 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 34 Across: "56. Yak"

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 light informal conversation for social occasions
• Words that mean the same thing: chin-wagging, yak, gabfest
• 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: GAB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "57. Informal "yes""

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: INDEEDY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "59. L x w x h"

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: VOL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "60. ___ B. Wells, co-founder of the N.A.A.C.P."

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 an agency of the united nations affiliated with the world bank
• Words that mean the same thing: International Development Association
• 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: IDA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "61. Western range"

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 range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)
• Words that mean the same thing: Scomberomorus sierra, sierra
• 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: SIERRAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "62. Kerfuffle"

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 rapid active commotion
• Words that mean the same thing: bustle, stir, flurry
• 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 40 Across: "63. Little part of a big wheel"

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 subordinate who performs an important but routine function
• Words that mean the same thing: sprocket
• 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: COG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 41 Across: "64. Grants may come out of it"

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 unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade
• Words that mean the same thing: cash machine, standard pressure, automatic teller
• 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: ATM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 42 Across: "65. The youngest host in its history is Drew Barrymore (age 7): Abbr."

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: SNL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 43 Across: "66. Lepidopterist's need"

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 computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the tcp/ip network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
• Words that mean the same thing: earnings, nett, final
• The opposite would be: gross
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NET

  Great job if you got it right!

Solve the Down: NYT Wednesday Puzzle July 15, 2020

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Fancy balls	5
2D	2. Video game character with an "L" on his hat	5
3D	3. Bugged no end	5
4D	4. Often-chocolaty dessert	6
5D	5. Avoiding the press	8
6D	6. Division of the Danish krone	3
7D	7. Surfer's destination?	3
8D	8. "Let's ___"	3
9D	9. Creative works made of recyclable parts	8
10D	10. Some shortcuts for ships	6
11D	11. Body position in yoga	5
12D	12. Great ___ National Park	5
13D	13. Brand of figure-shaping underwear	5
14D	21. Spreader of frosting or plaster	7
15D	23. ___ Soprano (Edie Falco role)	7
16D	25. Alternative to five-card draw	11
17D	26. Toys that can be dangerous	11
18D	29. Madrid's country, in the Olympics: Abbr.	3
19D	30. Popular Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera	9
20D	31. Accessory that's good for changing times?	9
21D	34. Mobile home?	9
22D	35. Business casual, e.g.	9
23D	36. Where hogs go wild?	3
24D	38. Cheer at an opera house	5
25D	40. Author Cather	5
26D	43. More pious ... or more moth-eaten	6
27D	48. What you need to solve sudoku	5
28D	49. "Ixnay!"	5
29D	50. Sometime adversary of Godzilla	5
30D	52. Letter-shaped opening for a bolt	5
31D	57. Middle of many metaphors	3
32D	58. Fashion monogram	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. Fancy balls"

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 gay festivity
• Words that mean the same thing: gala affair, blowout, gala
• 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: GALAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Video game character with an "L" on his hat"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a hard 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: LUIGI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Bugged no end"

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: ATEAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Often-chocolaty dessert"

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 a rich, frothy, creamy dessert made with whipped egg whites and heavy cream
• Words that mean the same thing: hair mousse, gel, hair gel
• 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: MOUSSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Avoiding the press"

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: MEDIASHY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Division of the Danish krone"

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 mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
• 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: ORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Surfer's destination?"

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 the address of a web page on the world wide web
• Words that mean the same thing: universal resource locator, uniform resource locator
• 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: URL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. "Let's ___""

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 negation of a word or group of words
• Words that mean the same thing: non
• 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: NOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Creative works made of recyclable parts"

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: TRASHART

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Some shortcuts for ships"

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 (astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
• Words that mean the same thing: channel, canalize, duct
• 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: CANALS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Body position in yoga"

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 (hinduism) a posture or manner of sitting (as in the practice of yoga)
• 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: ASANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Great ___ National Park"

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 bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
• Words that mean the same thing: basinful, watershed, river basin
• 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: BASIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Brand of figure-shaping underwear"

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: SPANX

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "21. Spreader of frosting or plaster"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a turner with a narrow flexible 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: SPATULA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "23. ___ Soprano (Edie Falco role)"

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: CARMELA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. Alternative to five-card draw"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: TEXASHOLDEM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "26. Toys that can be dangerous"

Quick Info: This answer has 11 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: PEASHOOTERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Madrid's country, in the Olympics: Abbr."

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 apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses
• Words that mean the same thing: second sight, clairvoyance, extrasensory perception
• 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: ESP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. Popular Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 letters. It's a expert 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: THEMIKADO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Accessory that's good for changing times?"

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: DIAPERBAG

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "34. Mobile home?"

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: CAMPERVAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "35. Business casual, e.g."

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: DRESSCODE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "36. Where hogs go wild?"

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 an infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid
• Words that mean the same thing: hordeolum, pigsty, pigpen
• 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: STY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "38. Cheer at an opera house"

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: BRAVA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "40. Author Cather"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a medium 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: WILLA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "43. More pious ... or more moth-eaten"

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 belonging to or derived from or associated with a divine power
• Words that mean the same thing: holy
• The opposite would be: unholy
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HOLIER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "48. What you need to solve sudoku"

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 branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
• Words that mean the same thing: logical system, system of logic
• 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: LOGIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "49. "Ixnay!""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy 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: CANIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "50. Sometime adversary of Godzilla"

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: RODAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "52. Letter-shaped opening for a bolt"

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: TSLOT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "57. Middle of many metaphors"

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: ISA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "58. Fashion monogram"

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: YSL

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	43	57.3%
Short Answer	19	25.3%
Celebrity/Entertainment	4	5.3%
History	3	4.0%
Sports	2	2.7%
Music	1	1.3%
Movies/Film	1	1.3%
Food & Drink	1	1.3%
Geography	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	43
Down Clues	32
Total Clues	75
Average Answer Length	5.0 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	11 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 Wednesday, 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:

• April 09 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 04 2020 NYT Clues Solutions
• January 10 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• August 13 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• February 15 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• 27450 Sun Jan 05 2025 Ny Times
• May 19 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 28 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• November 25 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• September 08 2022 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 23, 2025 at 09:18 PM

December 24, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (33 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:

• April 12 2024 NYT Clues Solutions
• June 17 2022 NYT Clues Solutions
• Ny Times Crossword Answers May 02 2025
• November 29 2017 NYT Clues Answers
• 27413 Thu Nov 28 2024 Nyy By Ricky J

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Thursday, December 24, 2020

Difficulty Level: Moderate Wednesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 72 (33 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 5.2 letters

NYT Thursday Crossword Across Clues - December 24, 2020 Solutions

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Wild party	4
2A	5. With 5-Down, some emergency bulletins	5
3A	10. Certain break-dancing move	4
4A	14. Piece by Puccini	4
5A	15. Lover of Giorgetta in Puccini's "Il Tabarro"	5
6A	16. Native language of 50 million citizens of India	4
7A	17. Spill a shipment of bowling balls?	15
8A	20. Gets down cold	7
9A	21. Kind of engine	6
10A	22. Person not to be trusted	3
11A	23. "I knew I was going ___ when it was taking longer and longer to wash my face": Harry Hill	4
12A	24. Works during a slow day at the restaurant?	13
13A	30. Hidden drawback	5
14A	31. "Paradise Lost" and others	5
15A	32. Certain deposit	3
16A	34. "The Game of Strategic Conquest"	4
17A	35. Word with rule or tackle	5
18A	36. Advantage	4
19A	37. Do drugs	3
20A	38. Piece of curling equipment	5
21A	39. Poker slang for three of a kind	5
22A	40. Go on a date with a honeybun?	13
23A	43. Body part that's also a woman's name	4
24A	44. SOS response	3
25A	45. A bit of resistance	6
26A	48. Gets away	7
27A	52. Is unable to get away, say ... or a hint to 17-, 24- and 40-Across?	15
28A	55. One target of doxycycline	4
29A	56. French setting for Puccini's "Il Tabarro"	5
30A	57. "This round's ___"	4
31A	58. Sad sound	4
32A	59. Half of a 1960s folk/pop group	5
33A	60. Run over	4

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. Wild party"

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 vigorous blow
• Words that mean the same thing: sock, bonk, knock
• 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: BASH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. With 5-Down, some emergency bulletins"

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 deep yellow color
• Words that mean the same thing: gold, yellow-brown, brownish-yellow
• 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: AMBER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Certain break-dancing move"

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 swift whirling motion (usually of a missile)
• Words that mean the same thing: twirl, tailspin, reel
• 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: SPIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. Piece by Puccini"

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 elaborate song for solo voice
• 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: ARIA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Lover of Giorgetta in Puccini's "Il Tabarro""

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: LUIGI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Native language of 50 million citizens of India"

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 the official literary language of pakistan, closely related to hindi; widely used in india (mostly by moslems); written in arabic script
• 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: URDU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Spill a shipment of bowling balls?"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: LETTHEGOODSROLL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "20. Gets down cold"

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 united states poet (1869-1950)
• Words that mean the same thing: maestro, schoolmaster, overlord
• 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: MASTERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "21. Kind of engine"

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 german engineer (born in france) who invented the diesel engine (1858-1913)
• Words that mean the same thing: diesel engine, diesel motor, Rudolf Diesel
• 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: DIESEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Person not to be trusted"

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 any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
• Words that mean the same thing: scab, tell on, rotter
• 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: RAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. "I knew I was going ___ when it was taking longer and longer to wash my face": Harry Hill"

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 grow bald; lose hair on one's head
• Words that mean the same thing: denudate, barefaced, denuded
• 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: BALD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. Works during a slow day at the restaurant?"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: WAITSFORNOONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "30. Hidden drawback"

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 drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident
• Words that mean the same thing: take in, watch, snap
• The opposite would be: unhitch
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CATCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "31. "Paradise Lost" and others"

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 long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
• Words that mean the same thing: epic, epic poem, heroic poem
• 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: EPICS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "32. Certain deposit"

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 mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
• 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: ORE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "34. "The Game of Strategic Conquest""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
• Words that mean the same thing: take chances, peril, risk of exposure
• 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: RISK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "35. Word with rule or tackle"

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 small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study
• Words that mean the same thing: slue, slither, swoop
• 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: SLIDE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "36. Advantage"

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 a useful or valuable quality
• Words that mean the same thing: positive, summation, addition
• The opposite would be: liability, minus
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PLUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "37. Do drugs"

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 the act of using
• Words that mean the same thing: role, purpose, employment
• 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: USE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "38. Piece of curling equipment"

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 lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
• Words that mean the same thing: Harlan Stone, Harlan F. Stone, Harlan Fisk Stone
• 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: STONE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "39. Poker slang for three of a kind"

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 journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
• Words that mean the same thing: tripper, trip out, travel
• 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: TRIPS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "40. Go on a date with a honeybun?"

Quick Info: This answer has 13 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: TAKEONESSWEET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "43. Body part that's also a woman's name"

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 plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals
• Words that mean the same thing: iris diaphragm, flag, sword lily
• 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: IRIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "44. SOS response"

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 the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
• Words that mean the same thing: economic aid, assist, help
• 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: AID

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "45. A bit of resistance"

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 a crackling or hissing noise caused by electrical interference
• Words that mean the same thing: atmospherics, electrostatic, atmospheric static
• 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: STATIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. Gets away"

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 act of escaping physically
• Words that mean the same thing: get away, run, take to the woods
• 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: ESCAPES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "52. Is unable to get away, say ... or a hint to 17-, 24- and 40-Across?"

Quick Info: This answer has 15 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: CANTFINDTHETIME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "55. One target of doxycycline"

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 inflammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands of the skin; characterized by papules or pustules or comedones
• 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: ACNE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "56. French setting for Puccini's "Il Tabarro""

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 french river that flows through the heart of paris and then northward into the english channel
• Words that mean the same thing: Seine River
• 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: SEINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "57. "This round's ___""

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: ONME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "58. Sad sound"

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 utterance expressing pain or disapproval
• Words that mean the same thing: groan
• 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: MOAN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "59. Half of a 1960s folk/pop group"

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 informal terms for a mother
• Words that mean the same thing: Mama, mama, momma
• 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: MAMAS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "60. Run over"

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 something that is read
• Words that mean the same thing: record, translate, scan
• 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: READ

  Great job if you got it right!

December 24, 2020 Down Hints: NYT Thursday Crossword Guide

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Lip ___	4
2D	2. Concentration	4
3D	3. Plops down	4
4D	4. Series of goals	8
5D	5. See 5-Across	6
6D	6. Makes a duck face, say	4
7D	7. Part of an Instagram profile	3
8D	8. Part of one's mental life	3
9D	9. "Good ___!"	8
10D	10. "You got that right about me!"	6
11D	11. Advantages	4
12D	12. Not going anywhere	4
13D	13. Zero	4
14D	18. Tract of low-growing vegetation	5
15D	19. Separates, in a sense	5
16D	23. There are more of these in the U.S. in October than any other month, surprisingly	6
17D	24. Pants measure	5
18D	25. Adrift	5
19D	26. Cons	6
20D	27. Speak out	5
21D	28. "Honest!"	5
22D	29. Not hold back fury	5
23D	30. High-quality French vineyard	3
24D	33. Start of this clue	3
25D	35. Endurance of hardship without complaint	8
26D	36. Polar bear, to seals	8
27D	38. Font flourish	5
28D	39. How often Bette Davis won Best Actress	5
29D	41. Baby rabbit	6
30D	42. Pageant identifiers	6
31D	45. Kind of artist	4
32D	46. Dish that might be seasoned with adobo sauce	4
33D	47. Actress Kendrick of "Pitch Perfect"	4
34D	48. It destroyed the town of Mascali in 1928	4
35D	49. What benchwarmers ride, with "the"	4
36D	50. 1815 novel made into films in 1996 and 2020	4
37D	51. Provide initial funding for	4
38D	53. Org. whose vision is "a great public school for every student"	3
39D	54. Barely perceptible, say	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. Lip ___"

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 any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
• Words that mean the same thing: ointment, unction, salve
• 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: BALM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Concentration"

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 a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
• Words that mean the same thing: domain, country, region
• 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: AREA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Plops down"

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 be around, often idly or without specific purpose
• Words that mean the same thing: pose, sit around, ride
• The opposite would be: arise, stand
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SITS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Series of goals"

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: HATTRICK

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. See 5-Across"

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 condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
• Words that mean the same thing: alarum, alert, alarm
• 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: ALERTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. Makes a duck face, say"

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 quantity that can be held in a mug
• Words that mean the same thing: phiz, soft touch, physiognomy
• 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: MUGS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Part of an Instagram profile"

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: BIO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Part of one's mental life"

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 an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
• Words that mean the same thing: self-importance, egotism, self
• 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: EGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. "Good ___!""

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 the act of removing or getting rid of something
• Words that mean the same thing: ejection, elimination, exclusion
• 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: RIDDANCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. "You got that right about me!""

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: SUREDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Advantages"

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 an athlete who plays for pay
• Words that mean the same thing: professional, pro
• The opposite would be: amateur, con
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PROS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Not going anywhere"

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 state of an engine or other mechanism that is idling
• Words that mean the same thing: wild, slug, unfounded
• The opposite would be: run, work
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IDLE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Zero"

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 a quantity of no importance
• Words that mean the same thing: nothing, void, nix
• 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: NULL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "18. Tract of low-growing vegetation"

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 low evergreen shrub of the family ericaceae; has small bell-shaped pink or purple flowers
• Words that mean the same thing: heathland
• 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: HEATH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "19. Separates, in a sense"

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 cylindrical tower used for storing silage
• Words that mean the same thing: silo
• 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: SILOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "23. There are more of these in the U.S. in October than any other month, surprisingly"

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 a woman who has recently been married
• Words that mean the same thing: St. Brigid, Saint Bridget, Bride
• 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: BRIDES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "24. Pants measure"

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 narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
• Words that mean the same thing: waistline, shank
• 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: WAIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "25. Adrift"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy 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: ATSEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "26. Cons"

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 someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
• Words that mean the same thing: crook, felon, outlaw
• 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: FELONS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "27. Speak 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 express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
• Words that mean the same thing: speak up, reckon, think
• 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 21 Down: "28. "Honest!""

Quick Info: This answer has 5 letters. It's a easy 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: NOLIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "29. Not hold back fury"

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 start abruptly
• Words that mean the same thing: ignite, burst, flare 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: ERUPT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "30. High-quality French vineyard"

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: CRU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "33. Start of this clue"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons
• Words that mean the same thing: atomic number 99, E, einsteinium
• 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: ESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "35. Endurance of hardship without complaint"

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 an indifference to pleasure or pain
• Words that mean the same thing: stolidness, stolidity
• 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: STOICISM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "36. Polar bear, to seals"

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 someone who attacks in search of booty
• Words that mean the same thing: vulture, marauder, predatory animal
• 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: PREDATOR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "38. Font flourish"

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 short line at the end of the main strokes of a character
• Words that mean the same thing: seriph
• 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: SERIF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "39. How often Bette Davis won Best Actress"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that to double the degree
• Words that mean the same thing: double, doubly
• 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: TWICE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "41. Baby rabbit"

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 young domestic cat
• Words that mean the same thing: kitty
• 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: KITTEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "42. Pageant identifiers"

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 framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
• Words that mean the same thing: girdle, sash, waistband
• 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: SASHES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "45. Kind of artist"

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 fraudulent business scheme
• Words that mean the same thing: rook, gip, hornswoggle
• 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: SCAM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "46. Dish that might be seasoned with adobo sauce"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of mexican descent
• Words that mean the same thing: wetback, greaser
• 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: TACO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "47. Actress Kendrick of "Pitch Perfect""

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a former copper coin of pakistan and india
• 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: ANNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "48. It destroyed the town of Mascali in 1928"

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 an inactive volcano in sicily; last erupted in 1961; the highest volcano in europe (10,500 feet)
• Words that mean the same thing: Mount Etna, bunsen burner, bunsen
• 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: ETNA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "49. What benchwarmers ride, with "the""

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 coniferous tree
• Words that mean the same thing: ache, yen, languish
• 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: PINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "50. 1815 novel made into films in 1996 and 2020"

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

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: EMMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "51. Provide initial funding for"

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 hard fruit
• Words that mean the same thing: source, semen, seminal fluid
• 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: SEED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "53. Org. whose vision is "a great public school for every student""

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: NEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "54. Barely perceptible, say"

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 switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam
• Words that mean the same thing: obtuse, dimmed, subdued
• The opposite would be: undimmed, focus
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIM

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	56	77.8%
Short Answer	9	12.5%
Celebrity/Entertainment	3	4.2%
Sports	1	1.4%
Food & Drink	1	1.4%
History	1	1.4%
Literature	1	1.4%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	33
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	72
Average Answer Length	5.2 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 Thursday, 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 01:23 PM