This grid features the crossword-specific type of rebus, in which multiple letters must be entered into each of the oversize squares. At 11-Across, the clue [Last over the line, say] is describing a finish line, so the answer is SLOWEST. This doesn’t fit in the three squares allotted to us, unless we shove LOWES into the larger square. Generally, rebus squares work both ways, which means that the answer to 12-Down, [Conservative guesses], should also scan with LOWES in its first square. Sure enough, its answer is (LOW ES)TIMATES. This is a tried-and-true strategy for shove-’em-in rebus puzzles, whether there’s an indicator or not: Try entering letters, then check the crosses to see if they add up.
While some rebus puzzles use the same string of letters for each rebus square, that isn’t the case for today’s grid. 4-Down’s clue, [“The Four Seasons” composer], must be referring to VIVALDI. And 20-Across, [Neighborhood watering hole], solves to LOCAL DIVE — the rebus is ALDI. At the intersection of 39-Down, ME(GAP)LEXES, and 47-Across, YO(GAP)OSES, the rebus is GAP. And in the southwestern quadrant, L(IKE A) CHARM and STR(IKE A) POSE share the rebus IKEA. See the pattern? The revealer at 61-Across, [Large retail establishment … and a hint to four squares in this puzzle] provides the key. Each rebus is a BIG-BOX STORE, fittingly entered into a big box.
Tricky Clues
1A. When you read theater clues like [In “The Tempest,” when Miranda says “O brave new world, That has such people in’t!”], it’s usually safe to fill in “act” first. If you don’t know which act the clue refers to (for me, this is nearly always the case), use the crosses and keep in mind that the answer will be some combination of the Roman numerals I and V. In this case, the answer is ACT V.
5D. Spend enough time scrolling feeds and you’ll eventually come across [Altered excerpts of a film posted to social media, say], better known as FAN EDITS. Fan cams, a similar concept, often focus on a single character in a film or TV show and are essentially montages of fan-favorite moments, usually with a popular song for a soundtrack.
9D. This cute clue, [Bald youngster?], uses bald to refer to a bald eagle, whose young are called EAGLETs. Bald eagles are named for an older and lesser-used definition of the word bald, meaning marked with white. If you see a bald bald eagle (as in featherless), contact your local avian authorities. Something has gone wrong.
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