Word that can follow "belly of the" or "nature of the" nyt crossword clue

To solve the clue "Word that can follow 'belly of the' or 'nature of the'," let's break down the components and analyze potential answers. 1. **Understanding the Structure**: The clue suggests that we are looking for a single word that can logically come after both phrases: "belly of the ___" and "nature of the ___". 2. **Phrase Recognition**: - The phrase "belly of the" is commonly completed by the word "beast" (as in "the belly of the beast," which refers to being in a challenging or hostile situation). - The phrase "nature of the" can lead us to "beast" as well, as in the context of understanding someone's intrinsic character or instincts (e.g., "the nature of the beast"). 3. **Validating the Answer**: - "Belly of the beast" is a well-known idiom that evokes a sense of being in the very core of danger or turmoil. - "Nature of the beast" is also idiomatic, referring to the inherent characteristics or behaviors of something. Given these considerations, the word **"beast"** fits perfectly as that common follow-up for both phrases. ### Process Recap: - Identify phrases that pair well with the first part of the clue. - Consider idiomatic expressions and common usage of language. - Validate by checking if the word makes sense in the second context. ### Tips for Solving Similar Clues: - Look for common idiomatic expressions when dealing with phrases. - Think about words that have versatile meanings and can fit in various contexts. - Always consider the letter count and any known letters, as that can further narrow down the possibilities.