December 12, 2022 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (39 clues)
• Down Clues (37 clues)
• Category Breakdown
• Complete Puzzle Statistics
• Pro Solving Tips

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Monday, December 12, 2022

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (39 Across, 37 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.9 letters

December 12, 2022 Across Hints: NYT Monday Crossword Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Cozy home in the woods	5
2A	6. Cooking vessels for omelets	4
3A	10. Ask for, as a cigarette, informally	3
4A	13. Putting to work	5
5A	14. Box office dud	4
6A	15. Lasso material	4
7A	16. *High-energy person, metaphorically	10
8A	18. Means justifiers, it's said	4
9A	19. Nothing doing?	4
10A	20. "Who's there?" response	5
11A	21. Corp. honchos	4
12A	22. Melon with a yellow rind	6
13A	24. Strategic maneuver	6
14A	26. Ending with Oktober or gab	4
15A	28. Rap culture	6
16A	31. Obsolescent music purchases, in brief	3
17A	34. Low-pH liquids	5
18A	37. Liberty Mutual alternative	5
19A	38. Single, double or triple, in baseball	3
20A	39. Dog command … or a hint to the starts of the answers to the four starred clues	7
21A	41. Org. for Penguins and Ducks	3
22A	42. Popular sans-serif typeface	5
23A	44. Geological rift	5
24A	45. "You've got mail!" I.S.P.	3
25A	46. Official order	6
26A	48. Christmas song	4
27A	50. Fate	6
28A	53. Major blunders	6
29A	57. Fliers that may consume thousands of insects in an hour	4
30A	59. Pimiento-stuffed treat	5
31A	61. ___ fide	4
32A	62. Soothing succulent	4
33A	63. *Documentation leading to proof	10
34A	65. Hieroglyphic bird	4
35A	66. R&B great Redding	4
36A	67. Tries to deice, as winter roads	5
37A	68. Bit of skin ink, informally	3
38A	69. Cooped (up)	4
39A	70. Totally lost	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. Cozy home in the woods"

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 small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CABIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "6. Cooking vessels for omelets"

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 cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
• Words that mean the same thing: pan off, trash, Pan
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: PANS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Ask for, as a cigarette, informally"

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 person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
• Words that mean the same thing: skunk, keister, cheap
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BUM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "13. Putting to work"

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 act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
• Words that mean the same thing: exploitation, utilise, victimization
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: USING

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "14. Box office dud"

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 arithmetic operation performed on floating-point numbers
• Words that mean the same thing: fizzle, fall flat, right
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FLOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "15. Lasso material"

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 strong line
• Words that mean the same thing: forget me drug, circle, R-2
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ROPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "16. *High-energy person, metaphorically"

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: BALLOFFIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Means justifiers, it's said"

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 either extremity of something that has length
• Words that mean the same thing: finish, remainder, oddment
• The opposite would be: begin, beginning
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ENDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "19. Nothing doing?"

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 state of an engine or other mechanism that is idling
• Words that mean the same thing: baseless, groundless, unfounded
• The opposite would be: busy, 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 10 Across: "20. "Who's there?" response"

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: ITSME

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "21. Corp. honchos"

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 corporate executive responsible for the operations of the firm; reports to a board of directors; may appoint other managers (including a president)
• Words that mean the same thing: chief operating officer, chief executive officer, CEO
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CEOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "22. Melon with a yellow rind"

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 melon having yellowish rind and whitish flesh
• Words that mean the same thing: casaba melon
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CASABA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "24. Strategic maneuver"

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 plan for attaining a particular goal
• Words that mean the same thing: manoeuvre, tactics, maneuver
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TACTIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "26. Ending with Oktober or gab"

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: FEST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "28. Rap culture"

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: HIPHOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "31. Obsolescent music purchases, in brief"

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

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: standard candle, atomic number 48, cd
• The 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 17 Across: "34. Low-pH liquids"

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 any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt
• Words that mean the same thing: dot, superman, window pane
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ACIDS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. Liberty Mutual 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: GEICO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. Single, double or triple, in baseball"

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 (baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
• Words that mean the same thing: smash, murder, arrive at
• The opposite would be: miss
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "39. Dog command … or a hint to the starts of the answers to the four starred clues"

Quick Info: This answer has 7 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: GOFETCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. Org. for Penguins and Ducks"

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: NHL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "42. Popular sans-serif typeface"

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: ARIAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "44. Geological rift"

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: defect, blame, break
• The opposite would be: merit, absolve
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FAULT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Across: "45. "You've got mail!" I.S.P."

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: AOL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "46. Official order"

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 legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
• Words that mean the same thing: rule, rescript, order
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DECREE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "48. Christmas song"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that period extending from dec. 24 to jan. 6
• Words that mean the same thing: Christmastime, Yule, Yuletide
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NOEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "50. Fate"

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 (islam) the will of allah
• Words that mean the same thing: kismat
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: KISMET

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "53. Major blunders"

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 acronym often used by soldiers in world war ii: situation normal all fucked up
• Words that mean the same thing: snafu
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SNAFUS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "57. Fliers that may consume thousands of insects in an hour"

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 nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
• Words that mean the same thing: thrash, cream, nutty
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BATS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Pimiento-stuffed treat"

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 small ovoid fruit of the european olive tree; important food and source of oil
• Words that mean the same thing: Olea europaea, European olive tree
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OLIVE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "61. ___ fide"

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: BONA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "62. Soothing succulent"

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 succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in africa
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ALOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "63. *Documentation leading to proof"

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: PAPERTRAIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "65. Hieroglyphic bird"

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 wading birds of warm regions having long slender down-curved bills
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: IBIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "66. R&B great Redding"

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 united states inventor who manufactured the first elevator with a safety device (1811-1861)
• Words that mean the same thing: genus Otis, Elisha Graves Otis
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OTIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "67. Tries to deice, as winter roads"

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 compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
• Words that mean the same thing: salinity, salt, common salt
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "68. Bit of skin ink, informally"

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 tastelessness by virtue of being cheap and vulgar
• Words that mean the same thing: intertwine, Thematic Apperception Test, sleaze
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Across: "69. Cooped (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 produce a literary work
• Words that mean the same thing: write, pen, shut 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: PENT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Across: "70. Totally lost"

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: ATSEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Down Clues Decoded - Monday NYT Crossword December 12, 2022

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Shaped like dice	5
2D	2. Carne ___ (taco filling)	5
3D	3. Football team in Buffalo	5
4D	4. Blooming with foliage	6
5D	5. Oxfam or Mercy Corps, e.g., in brief	3
6D	6. [Gone … just like that!]	4
7D	7. Like red-carpet celebrities	5
8D	8. ___ Rae (Sally Field title role)	5
9D	9. Oration	6
10D	10. *Some fine porcelain	9
11D	11. Beehive or French twist	4
12D	12. Kitchen description after Spaghetti Sunday	4
13D	15. A cook might have a secret one	6
14D	17. Ludicrous failure	6
15D	23. Snoopy and Gromit, for two	7
16D	25. Turn clockwise, as a screw	7
17D	27. Petty kerfuffle	4
18D	29. Eight: Sp.	4
19D	30. Opinion survey	4
20D	31. Country east of Niger	4
21D	32. In ___ straits	4
22D	33. *"Don't quit now!"	9
23D	35. Narc's org.	3
24D	36. Leave astounded	4
25D	40. Pitcher sent in to seal a win	6
26D	43. Crops up	6
27D	47. Panic! at the Disco genre	6
28D	49. One navigating a maze, maybe	6
29D	51. Give joy	5
30D	52. Basketball rebound play	5
31D	54. Newborn horses	5
32D	55. Join forces	5
33D	56. It can be verde or roja	5
34D	57. Worm on a hook, e.g.	4
35D	58. "Sin City" co-star Jessica	4
36D	60. Waistcoat	4
37D	64. Airport grp.	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. Shaped like dice"

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 having three dimensions
• Words that mean the same thing: three-dimensional
• The opposite would be: linear
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CUBIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Carne ___ (taco filling)"

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: ASADA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Football team in Buffalo"

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

Here's how to solve it:

• This could be something that a statute in draft before it becomes law
• Words that mean the same thing: billhook, circular, bank note
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BILLS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Blooming with foliage"

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: INLEAF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Oxfam or Mercy Corps, e.g., 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 an organization that is not part of the local or state or federal government
• Words that mean the same thing: nongovernmental organization
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NGO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. [Gone … just like that!]"

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: PFFT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Like red-carpet celebrities"

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: ALIST

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. ___ Rae (Sally Field title role)"

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 constellation in the southern hemisphere near lupus and ara in the milky way
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NORMA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Oration"

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 act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
• Words that mean the same thing: oral communication, delivery, talking to
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPEECH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. *Some fine porcelain"

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: BONECHINA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Beehive or French twist"

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: UPDO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Kitchen description after Spaghetti Sunday"

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 state of confusion and disorderliness
• Words that mean the same thing: mint, passel, jam
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: MESS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "15. A cook might have a secret one"

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 directions for making something
• Words that mean the same thing: formula
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RECIPE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "17. Ludicrous failure"

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 sudden and violent collapse
• Words that mean the same thing: debacle
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FIASCO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "23. Snoopy and Gromit, for two"

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 small short-legged smooth-coated breed of hound
• Words that mean the same thing: beagle
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BEAGLES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "25. Turn clockwise, as a screw"

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 make tight or tighter
• Words that mean the same thing: fasten, constrain, reduce
• The word looks like this: _______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIGHTEN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "27. Petty kerfuffle"

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 quarrel about petty points
• Words that mean the same thing: bickering, squabble, fuss
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TIFF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "29. Eight: Sp."

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: OCHO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "30. Opinion survey"

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 inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
• Words that mean the same thing: opinion poll, crown, canvas
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: POLL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "31. Country east of Niger"

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

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 language, Republic of Chad, Tchad
• The 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 21 Down: "32. In ___ straits"

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 fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless; ; - g.c.marshall
• Words that mean the same thing: frightening, horrendous, awful
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DIRE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "33. *"Don't quit now!""

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: STICKTOIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "35. Narc's org."

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 federal agency responsible for enforcing laws and regulations governing narcotics and controlled substances; goal is to immobilize drug trafficking organizations
• Words that mean the same thing: Drug Enforcement Administration, Drug Enforcement Agency
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DEA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "36. Leave astounded"

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 make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow
• Words that mean the same thing: daze, stupefy, bedaze
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: STUN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "40. Pitcher sent in to seal a win"

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 person who closes something
• Words that mean the same thing: skinny, cheeseparing, faithful
• The opposite would be: distant, far
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLOSER

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Down: "43. Crops up"

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 come into existence; take on form or shape
• Words that mean the same thing: rise up, grow, turn out
• The opposite would be: turn in, sit down
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARISES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "47. Panic! at the Disco genre"

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: EMOPOP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "49. One navigating a maze, maybe"

Quick Info: This answer has 6 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: LABRAT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "51. Give joy"

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 fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
• Words that mean the same thing: uplift, intoxicate, pick up
• The opposite would be: depress
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ELATE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "52. Basketball rebound play"

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: TIPIN

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "54. Newborn horses"

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 young horse
• Words that mean the same thing: foal
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FOALS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "55. Join forces"

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 act in concert or unite in a common purpose or belief
• Words that mean the same thing: join, connect, unify
• The opposite would be: disunify, divide
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: UNITE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "56. It can be verde or roja"

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 spicy sauce of tomatoes and onions and chili peppers to accompany mexican foods
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SALSA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Down: "57. Worm on a hook, 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 anything that serves as an enticement
• Words that mean the same thing: tantalise, ride, decoy
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: BAIT

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "58. "Sin City" co-star Jessica"

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: ALBA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "60. Waistcoat"

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 man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
• Words that mean the same thing: enthrone, waistcoat, 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 37 Down: "64. Airport grp."

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!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	62	81.6%
Short Answer	8	10.5%
Music	2	2.6%
Celebrity/Entertainment	2	2.6%
Sports	1	1.3%
Geography	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	39
Down Clues	37
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	4.9 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	10 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 Monday, 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!

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 05, 2025 at 03:39 PM

December 22, 2020 NYT Clues Solutions | XWordHint

Quick Navigation - Table of Contents

• Puzzle Overview & Difficulty
• Across Clues (37 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:

• January 20 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• February 10 2021 NYT Clues Solutions
• December 13 2023 NYT Clues Solutions
• 0914 NYT Crossword Sat Sept 13 2024
• Tuesday Feb 11 2025 NYT Across

Puzzle Overview & Difficulty Analysis

Date: Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Difficulty Level: Medium Tuesday Puzzle

Total Clues: 76 (37 Across, 39 Down)

Average Word Length: 4.8 letters

Across Clues Explained - Tuesday NYT Crossword December 22, 2020

No.	Clue	Letters
1A	1. Equine animal, in rural dialect	4
2A	5. Caper	5
3A	10. Take steps (into)	4
4A	14. One of two in the McDonald's logo	4
5A	15. Italian name of six popes	5
6A	16. Ice skating maneuver	4
7A	17. Dr. Zhivago's love	4
8A	18. Rapture	10
9A	20. Projecting rim of a metal beam	6
10A	22. Fake eyelash, in slang	6
11A	23. Org. whose members may be fore-warned?	3
12A	24. With this puzzle's central black squares, ecstasy	5
13A	27. Heating unit	5
14A	29. Heating fuel	3
15A	30. Hogs	5
16A	35. Perez whose film debut was in "Do the Right Thing"	5
17A	36. Join at the altar	3
18A	37. ___ Island (part of Brooklyn that isn't an island)	5
19A	38. "Let's be ___ about this"	6
20A	40. Mindless	5
21A	41. Affectionate nickname for the "Father of the Symphony"	9
22A	45. Beats by a whisker	5
23A	46. Face With Tears of Joy, for one	5
24A	47. Keanu Reeves's role in "The Matrix"	3
25A	48. Houston ballplayer	5
26A	52. Kind of computer port, in brief	3
27A	53. Protection for vampire hunters	5
28A	56. Bar "where everybody knows your name"	6
29A	58. Steadfastly maintained, as one's beliefs	6
30A	59. Comforting mental state	10
31A	63. Like a soldier who might be court-martialed	4
32A	64. Dunkable cookie	4
33A	65. Sign up for more	5
34A	66. Nickname for Grandma	4
35A	67. Volume from Horace	4
36A	68. Dingbats	5
37A	69. Colorist	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. Equine animal, in rural dialect"

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: HOSS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Across: "5. Caper"

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 ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
• Words that mean the same thing: grotesque, clown around, clown
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANTIC

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Across: "10. Take steps (into)"

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 english tennis player who won many women's singles titles (born in 1945)
• Words that mean the same thing: Virginia Wade
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WADE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Across: "14. One of two in the McDonald's logo"

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 curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
• Words that mean the same thing: archway, patronizing, impish
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ARCH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Across: "15. Italian name of six popes"

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: PAOLO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Across: "16. Ice skating maneuver"

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: AXEL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Across: "17. Dr. Zhivago's love"

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: LARA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Across: "18. Rapture"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: SHEERBLISS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Across: "20. Projecting rim of a metal beam"

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 projection used for strength or for attaching to another object
• Words that mean the same thing: rim
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FLANGE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Across: "22. Fake eyelash, in slang"

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 padding that is worn inside a brassiere
• The word looks like this: ______
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: FALSIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Across: "23. Org. whose members may be fore-warned?"

Quick Info: This answer has 3 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: PGA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Across: "24. With this puzzle's central black squares, ecstasy"

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 any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
• Words that mean the same thing: mottle, obnubilate, overcast
• The opposite would be: clear up
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CLOUD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Across: "27. Heating unit"

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 unit of heat equal to 100,000 british thermal units
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: THERM

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Across: "29. Heating fuel"

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 slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water
• Words that mean the same thing: petroleum, vegetable oil, oil color
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OIL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Across: "30. Hogs"

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 stout-bodied short-legged omnivorous animals
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SWINE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Across: "35. Perez whose film debut was in "Do the Right Thing""

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: ROSIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Across: "36. Join at the altar"

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 fourth day of the week; the third working day
• Words that mean the same thing: hook up with, espouse, splice
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WED

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Across: "37. ___ Island (part of Brooklyn that isn't an island)"

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 black-spotted usually dusky-colored fish with reddish fins
• Words that mean the same thing: rock rabbit, rabbit, dassie
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CONEY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Across: "38. "Let's be ___ about this""

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 fully developed person from maturity onward
• Words that mean the same thing: grownup, adult
• The opposite would be: juvenile
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ADULTS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Across: "40. Mindless"

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 devoid of intelligence
• Words that mean the same thing: asinine, mindless, fatuous
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: INANE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Across: "41. Affectionate nickname for the "Father of the Symphony""

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

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Across: "45. Beats by a whisker"

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 boundary of a surface
• Words that mean the same thing: bound, butt on, border
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EDGES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Across: "46. Face With Tears of Joy, for one"

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 24 Across: "47. Keanu Reeves's role in "The Matrix""

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 (used as a combining form) recent or new
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Across: "48. Houston ballplayer"

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: ASTRO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 26 Across: "52. Kind of computer port, in brief"

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: USB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Across: "53. Protection for vampire hunters"

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 wooden structure consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece
• Words that mean the same thing: pass over, crossbreeding, fussy
• The opposite would be: uncross
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CROSS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Across: "56. Bar "where everybody knows your name""

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 cry or shout of approval
• Words that mean the same thing: root on, chirk up, cheer up
• The opposite would be: uncheerfulness, complain
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CHEERS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Across: "58. Steadfastly maintained, as one's beliefs"

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: HELDTO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Across: "59. Comforting mental state"

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

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: HAPPYPLACE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Across: "63. Like a soldier who might be court-martialed"

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 one who is away or absent without leave
• Words that mean the same thing: truant
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AWOL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Across: "64. Dunkable cookie"

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 chocolate cookie with white cream filling
• Words that mean the same thing: oreo cookie
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OREO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Across: "65. Sign up for 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 reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new
• Words that mean the same thing: regenerate, reincarnate
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: RENEW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 34 Across: "66. Nickname for Grandma"

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: NANA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Across: "67. Volume from Horace"

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 lyric poem with complex stanza forms
• Words that mean the same thing: ode
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ODES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Across: "68. Dingbats"

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: YOYOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Across: "69. Colorist"

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

  The answer is: DYER

  Great job if you got it right!

NYT Tuesday Crossword Down Clues - December 22, 2020 Answers

No.	Clue	Letters
1D	1. Either part of a yin-yang symbol, e.g.	4
2D	2. Unwritten exam	4
3D	3. Manages to gather, as cash	9
4D	4. Heaven	9
5D	5. Church recess	4
6D	6. "I'll pass"	3
7D	7. Something a wedge often leaves exposed	3
8D	8. Paris's ___ de la Cité	3
9D	9. Greek tourist destination	5
10D	10. Part of a squash court	4
11D	11. Center of rotation	4
12D	12. Arnaz of "I Love Lucy"	4
13D	13. Part of a coding conditional	4
14D	19. Research findings that can't be reproduced, say	10
15D	21. Field of mathematics pioneered by John von Neumann	10
16D	24. Word with cash or holy	3
17D	25. Take a risk when taking a polygraph test	3
18D	26. Aged	3
19D	27. Golfer's challenge	4
20D	28. Kotb of "Today"	4
21D	31. Realm of marvels	10
22D	32. Pleasantly	10
23D	33. Hawaii's state bird	4
24D	34. Peepers	4
25D	39. Uncle ___	3
26D	42. Whom 39-Down wants, in a classic poster	3
27D	43. Some SiriusXM workers, for short	3
28D	44. Pen tip	3
29D	48. Cause for a blessing	5
30D	49. Pottery fragment	5
31D	50. Plains dwelling	5
32D	51. Auto takebacks, for short	5
33D	54. A flat one is best to skip	5
34D	55. Kind of energy	5
35D	57. Lively for one's age	4
36D	58. Chops down	4
37D	60. Sign before Virgo	3
38D	61. Unspecified quantity	3
39D	62. Corporate V.I.P.	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. Either part of a yin-yang symbol, e.g."

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 one of two equal parts of a divisible whole
• Words that mean the same thing: one-half
• The opposite would be: whole
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: HALF

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 2 Down: "2. Unwritten exam"

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 examination conducted by spoken communication
• Words that mean the same thing: oral exam, viva, unwritten
• The opposite would be: aboral, anal
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ORAL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 3 Down: "3. Manages to gather, as cash"

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: SCRAPESUP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 4 Down: "4. Heaven"

Quick Info: This answer has 9 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: SHANGRILA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 5 Down: "5. Church recess"

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 domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar
• Words that mean the same thing: apsis
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: APSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 6 Down: "6. "I'll pass""

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: NAH

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 7 Down: "7. Something a wedge often leaves exposed"

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 one of the digits of the foot
• Words that mean the same thing: toenail
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TOE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 8 Down: "8. Paris's ___ de la Cité"

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: ILE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 9 Down: "9. Greek tourist destination"

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: CORFU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 10 Down: "10. Part of a squash court"

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 architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
• Words that mean the same thing: palisade, paries, fence
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WALL

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 11 Down: "11. Center of rotation"

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 straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions
• Words that mean the same thing: bloc, axis vertebra, axis of rotation
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: AXIS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 12 Down: "12. Arnaz of "I Love Lucy""

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: DESI

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 13 Down: "13. Part of a coding conditional"

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: ELSE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 14 Down: "19. Research findings that can't be reproduced, say"

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: BADSCIENCE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 15 Down: "21. Field of mathematics pioneered by John von Neumann"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 letters. It's a expert 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: GAMETHEORY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 16 Down: "24. Word with cash or holy"

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 female of domestic cattle:
• Words that mean the same thing: overawe, moo-cow
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: COW

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 17 Down: "25. Take a risk when taking a polygraph test"

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 statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
• Words that mean the same thing: Trygve Lie, consist, dwell
• 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: LIE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 18 Down: "26. Aged"

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 past times (especially in the phrase `in days of old')
• Words that mean the same thing: erstwhile, former, previous
• The opposite would be: young, new
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: OLD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 19 Down: "27. Golfer's challenge"

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 device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
• Words that mean the same thing: immobilize, lying in wait, snare
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TRAP

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 20 Down: "28. Kotb of "Today""

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: HODA

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 21 Down: "31. Realm of marvels"

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 a place or scene of great or strange beauty or wonder
• The word looks like this: __________
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: WONDERLAND

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 22 Down: "32. Pleasantly"

Quick Info: This answer has 10 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: INAGOODWAY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 23 Down: "33. Hawaii's state bird"

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

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: NENE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 24 Down: "34. Peepers"

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 opinion or judgment
• Words that mean the same thing: oculus, centre, center
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: EYES

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 25 Down: "39. Uncle ___"

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 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 26 Down: "42. Whom 39-Down wants, in a classic poster"

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: YOU

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 27 Down: "43. Some SiriusXM workers, 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 person who announces and plays popular recorded music
• Words that mean the same thing: disk jockey, disk-jockey, disc jockey
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: DJS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 28 Down: "44. Pen tip"

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 writing point of a pen
• Words that mean the same thing: bill, neb, pen nib
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: NIB

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 29 Down: "48. Cause for a blessing"

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: ACHOO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 30 Down: "49. Pottery fragment"

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 broken piece of a brittle artifact
• Words that mean the same thing: sherd, fragment
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SHARD

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 31 Down: "50. Plains dwelling"

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 native american tent; usually of conical shape
• Words that mean the same thing: tipi, teepee
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: TEPEE

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 32 Down: "51. Auto takebacks, for short"

Quick Info: This answer has 5 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: REPOS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 33 Down: "54. A flat one is best to skip"

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 lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
• Words that mean the same thing: Harlan Fisk Stone, I. F. Stone, lapidate
• The 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 34 Down: "55. Kind of energy"

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 relating to or derived from the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun
• The word looks like this: _____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SOLAR

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 35 Down: "57. Lively for one's age"

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 moving quickly and lightly
• Words that mean the same thing: nimble, agile, quick
• The word looks like this: ____
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: SPRY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 36 Down: "58. Chops 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 make or shape as with an axe
• Words that mean the same thing: hew, hew 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: HEWS

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 37 Down: "60. Sign before Virgo"

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 (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in leo
• Words that mean the same thing: Leo the Lion, Lion
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: LEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 38 Down: "61. Unspecified quantity"

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 one or some or every or all without specification
• Words that mean the same thing: whatever, whatsoever
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: ANY

  Great job if you got it right!

Clue 39 Down: "62. Corporate V.I.P."

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 corporate executive responsible for the operations of the firm; reports to a board of directors; may appoint other managers (including a president)
• Words that mean the same thing: chief operating officer, chief executive officer
• The word looks like this: ___
• Still stuck? Remember to use the crossing words to help you!
• Ready for the answer? Click here!

  The answer is: CEO

  Great job if you got it right!

Category Breakdown

Category	Number of Clues	Percentage
General Knowledge	51	67.1%
Short Answer	16	21.1%
Geography	2	2.6%
Abbreviation	2	2.6%
History	1	1.3%
Movies/Film	1	1.3%
Music	1	1.3%
Sports	1	1.3%
Science/Technology	1	1.3%

Complete Puzzle Statistics

Metric	Value
Across Clues	37
Down Clues	39
Total Clues	76
Average Answer Length	4.8 letters
Shortest Answer	3 letters
Longest Answer	10 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!

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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 02:17 PM