Sunday October 6, 2024 Susan Gelfand & Katie Hale

Theme: "All in a Day's Work" - Each common phrase is rephrased as if it's part of the job description fitting the professional in the clue.

23. Part of an orchestra conductor's job description?: KNOW THE SCORE.

34. Part of a deckhand's job description?: TIE THE KNOT.

42. Part of an EPA technician's job description?: TEST THE WATERS.

66. Part of a wedding caterer's job description?: TAKE THE CAKE.

72. Part of an angler's job description?: HOLD THE LINE.

95. Part of a museum curator's job description?: GET THE PICTURE.

102. Part of a road maintenance worker's job description?: PAVE THE WAY.

119. Part of a set designer's job description?: MAKE THE SCENE.

We've seen fitting job themes in the past few years, but none with this "verb + the + noun" consistency. This extra layer attracted Pattie's attention, I'm sure.

Very smooth fill, as expected from two veteran constructors. So few proper names. Not easy to pull it off.

Across:

1. Goes on to say: ADDS.

5. Thinks the world of: ADORES.

11. Stain layer: COAT.

15. Chat__: GPT. GPT stands for Generative Pre-training Transformer. A mouthful.

18. Evening, in Venice: SERA.

19. Cool Ranch snack brand: DORITOS.

21. Wheelbarrow part: AXLE.

22. Bike tire filler: AIR.

25. Sensitivity training exercise: ROLE PLAY. Role-play training.

27. Doodlebug, e.g.: ISOPOD.

28. Focused, at work: ON TASK.

30. Cold snap temps: TEENS.

31. Annapurna's country: NEPAL. Annapurna's is the 10th-highest mountain in the world.

32. Hill builder: ANT.

37. Hidden: SECRETED.

41. "You saved the day!": MY HERO. 

46. Subside a bit: EASE OFF.

50. "Blech!": UGH.

51. Pack animal: ASS.

52. Penny prez: ABE.

53. Lane marked with diamonds: Abbr.: HOV.

54. Texter's chuckle: LOL.

55. "Tough noogies": TOO BAD.

58. All thumbs: CLUMSY.

60. Expatriate: EMIGRE. Am I an emigre?

63. Puff from an iron: STEAM.

64. Pie __ mode: ALA.

68. Toddler's siesta: NAP TIME.

71. Tiny puncture: PINHOLE.

76. Install, as carpeting: LAY.

77. Moisten while roasting: BASTE. I associate this word with Thanksgiving turkey.

81. Oil-rich peninsula: ARABIA.

82. Criticize sharply: ASSAIL.

84. Prepared for takeoff: TAXIED.

85. Tip, briefly: REC. Recommendation.

86. Cars singer Ocasek: RIC.

88. Coffee holder: URN.

89. Like unsewn edges: RAW.

91. Sharks and minnows, essentially: TAG. Is this a gimme to you guys?

92. Camrys and Corollas: TOYOTAS.

99. Like winter base layers: WOOLEN.

101. 96-Down member: HOOPSTER.  96. Charlotte NBA team: HORNETS.

106. Caviar: ROE.

107. Drops from the sky: RAINS.

111. Select few: ELITE.

112. Greet the day: AWAKEN.

115. Famous Liverpudlian: LENNON. John Lennon was born in Liverpool.

116. Heart-pumping class: AEROBICS.

122. French vineyard designation: CRU.

123. Quite frequently: A LOT.

124. Western topper: STETSON.

125. White-tailed sea eagle: ERNE. I want to have a dark green tail.

126. Sci-fi subjects: ETS.

127. Sheer delight: GLEE.

128. Lengthy exam answers: ESSAYS.

129. Planetary system center: STAR. And 75. Third in a noted set of eight: EARTH. Solar system planets.

Down:

1. More than greet at the door: ASK IN.

2. Like thick fog: DENSE.

3. Turn down?: DROOP. Truly "turn down".

4. Looked beyond: SAW PAST.

5. Med. condition that often presents in childhood: ADHD.

6. Forest female: DOE.

7. Hosp. theaters: ORS. Not famliar with this "operating theater" meaning.

8. Lasagna cheese: RICOTTA.

9. British boarding school by the Thames: ETON.

10. Separate, as laundry: SORT.

11. Ignition insert: CAR KEY.

12. Good Grips brand: OXO.

13. The complete set: ALL.

14. Vacillates: TEETERS.
 
15. Ancient Greek physician: GALEN. Google shows that he served several Roman Emperors, including Marcus Aurelius.

16. Grand instrument: PIANO.

17. Lovers' meeting: TRYST.

20. Stadium spot: SEAT.

24. Vacancy sign: TO LET.

26. Orange __ tea: PEKOE.

29. Virtual city population: SIMS.

32. Son of Zeus: ARES.

33. Reportage: NEWS.

35. Ted's alternate nickname: THEO.

36. Cry aboard a frigate: HEAVE HO.

38. Landlocked African country: CHAD. The other answer is MALI. We also have 53. Spotted African predator: HYENA.

39. List-shortening abbr.: ET AL.

40. World premiere: DEBUT.

42. Sounds of disapproval: TUTS.

43. Four-award acronym: EGOT.

44. Cleat or clog: SHOE.

45. Update after a survey: RE-MAP.

47. Gymnast Korbut: OLGA.

48. Food picker-upper: FORK.

49. Hightail it: FLEE.

56. Cozy inn, casually: B AND B.

57. Master luthier: AMATI. From Cremona.

58. Sleeveless tops, briefly: CAMIS. And 74. Like some wedding gowns: LACY.

59. Craft: SKILL.

61. __ toast: MELBA.

62. Alpine climber's tool: ICE AX.

64. Noshed: ATE.

65. Pastel purple hue: LILAC.

67. "Above __ deep and dreamless sleep / The silent stars go by": THY.

69. Egyptian ruler: PHARAOH.

70. Follow: ENSUE.

72. Stag: HART.

73. Milkshake mix-in at Five Guys: OREO.

78. In __: as found: SITU.

79. Shred: TEAR.

80. Periphery: EDGE.

83. Gaga over: INTO.

84. Silly billy: TWIT.

87. Archipelago piece: ISLE.

89. Property takeback: REPO.

90. Cathedral recess: APSE.

93. Have a debt with: OWE TO.

94. Canvas carrier: TOTE BAG. So many people go crazy over Trader Joe's mini tote bags.

95. Nibble (on): GNAW.

97. Agriculture goddess: CERES. Roman goddess.

98. Hypnotic states: TRANCES.

100. Discarded cells: E WASTE.

102. Tranquility: PEACE.

103. Warning: ALERT.

104. Computer bug: VIRUS.

105. Some purple tubers: YAMS. Just bought some at the farmers market. I like boiling them with walnuts.

108. Like argon: INERT.

109. Mamma's mamma: NONNA.

110. Scornful look: SNEER.

113. "Running up That Hill" singer Bush: KATE.

114. Squeaks (out): EKES.

115. Tinted sunglasses part: LENS.

117. Sick: ILL.

118. Iowa college: COE.

120. Screening org.: TSA.

121. Today, in Spanish: HOY.

C.C.