Handles - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Handles," is a perfect example of a classic crossword misdirection. At first glance, it seems to be asking for a plural noun, but the answer is actually a verb phrase. This type of clue tests a solver's ability to look beyond the most obvious interpretation of a word.

Clue Analysis

The word "Handles" immediately brings to mind physical objects: door handles, suitcase handles, or even social media usernames. This is the intended trap. The constructor is banking on you thinking of a noun.

However, "handles" is also the third-person singular form of the verb "to handle." For example, "She handles the logistics." In this sense, it means to manage, take care of, or attend to something. The answer, SEES TO, is a direct synonym for this meaning. The 's' at the end of "Handles" cleverly matches the 's' at the end of "Sees," maintaining grammatical consistency.

Thinking Approaches

When you encounter a simple, common word as a clue, especially one that can be multiple parts of speech, it's a good idea to pause and consider the alternatives.

1. Part-of-Speech Pivot: If you're stuck thinking of nouns (like KNOBS, GRIPS, etc.) and none of them fit the crossing letters, ask yourself: "Could this be a verb?" Re-read the clue as if it were part of a sentence: "He _____ the problem" versus "He grabbed the _____."

2. Look for Phrasal Verbs: Crosswords love phrasal verbs. When a clue can be rephrased as "takes care of," "deals with," or "manages," the answer might be a two-word phrase like GETS BY, DEALS WITH, or, in this case, SEES TO.

3. Use the Crossings: Let's say you had the letters S__S_O from other answers. The pattern strongly suggests a two-word answer. The initial S and the S in the fourth position are a big giveaway for a phrase like "SEES TO."

Background Context

This type of cluing is a cornerstone of modern crosswords. It's a form of wordplay that relies on ambiguity. Constructors use these to add a layer of difficulty and to reward solvers who think flexibly. The noun-to-verb switch is one of the most common and effective misdirections in the puzzle maker's toolkit. Recognizing this pattern is a key step in moving from a beginner to an intermediate solver.

Conclusion

The clue "Handles" is a great lesson in not taking a word at face value. By challenging our initial assumption that it's a noun, we open up the possibility of a verb, leading directly to the correct phrasal verb answer. The next time you see a simple one-word clue, remember to check its part of speech before you get too locked into one idea.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think of the clue as an action, not an object.
2. Hint 2: The answer describes what someone does when they take responsibility for a task.
3. Hint 3: This is a two-word phrase meaning 'attends to' or 'takes care of'.
4. Hint 4: The first word in the phrase is a verb related to vision.