Desert whine? nyt crossword clue

The clue "Desert whine?" is a clever play on words and hints at a specific type of answer that fits the idea of both a desert and a whine. Let's break down the clue: 1. **Desert** - This could refer to a dry, barren landscape or perhaps something that means abandonment. 2. **Whine** - This word suggests a sound, particularly a complaining or crying noise. However, it could also refer to whining as in complaining about something. When clues use a question mark at the end, it usually implies a pun or a play on words is involved. In this particular case, "Desert" could point to a type of **wine** associated with a desert area; thus, the answer could be "VINE." This fits with both parts of the wordplay: a vine (from which wine is produced) is often associated with a lush, well-watered area, contrasting with the idea of a desert. However, if "VINE" does not fit based on the number of letters you have, another approach could be to think about a more specific term. The right solution could be “SAND” + “WINE” (that is "Sand" refers to desert terrain, while "whine" can be phonetically similar to wine). Putting it all together, if given the number of letters, the answer to "Desert whine?" could be **"SANDWINE"**, if it matches. If you are still unsure, providing any letters you already have can help find the perfect fit quickly. ### Tips for solving crossword clues: - Look for puns or wordplay in the clues, as they often indicate the need for a lateral thinking approach. - Pay attention to the number of letters in the answer. If it's a multi-word answer, the structure can guide your guesses. - Consider synonyms or common phrases that might relate back to the clue. - Use any known letters to narrow down your possibilities significantly; for example, if you have the letters S and I, then "sand" or similar might click into place. This analytical approach helps dissect the clue further and hone in on the solution.