NY Times Crossword

March 7, 2021 

Celeste Watts and Jeff Chen

TAKE TWO

 

In this clever puzzle, each clue is word or phrase with two letters removed.  The missing letters are described using wordplay, with an additional word or two. The word play plus the additional word(s) will make up a familiar phrase, and the extra word(s) will be a synonym of the original word.  For example, given the clue

ILLUS _ RA _ ORS , the answer would be STRIPTEASE ARTISTS. Here's why:

 

The missing T's could be described as STRIP TEASE. Adding the word ARTISTS gives the phrase STRIPTEASE ARTISTS. ARTISTS is a synonym of ILLUSTRATORS.

1. ACC _ L _ RATOR

2. LUXUR _  _ ACHT

3. ENDANGER _ EN _

4. CONFIG _ _ ATION

5. POI _ T OF _ IEW

6. _ OTIC _

Answers:

 

1. ACCELERATOR - EASE OFF THAT GAS PEDAL (EE - ease)

 

2. LUXURY YACHT - UNWISE INVESTMENT (YY - wise)

 

3. ENDANGERMENT - NO EMPTY THREAT (MT - empty)

 

4. CONFIGURATION - YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER (UR - you are)

 

5. POINT OF VIEW - UNENVIABLE POSITION (NV - envy)

 

6. NOTICE - WITHOUT ANY WARNING (NE - any)