Completely at ease - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Completely at ease," is a perfect example of a definition leading to a colorful, idiomatic phrase. Often found in themeless puzzles (like a Friday or Saturday NYT), these long, grid-spanning answers are a joy to solve, provided you can dredge the specific expression from your memory. This 15-letter answer is a classic of its kind.

Clue Analysis

The clue itself is straightforward: it's asking for a synonym or a synonymous phrase for being totally relaxed, uninhibited, or free from tension. The difficulty doesn't lie in understanding the clue's meaning, but in identifying the exact, somewhat quirky phrase the puzzle is looking for. The answer is a simile, a figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things.

Thinking Approaches

When you encounter a clue like this for a long answer, here's a good way to approach it:

1. Brainstorm Synonyms: Start by thinking of words and phrases that mean "at ease": relaxed, carefree, laid-back, unworried.
2. Look for Structure: If you have a few crossing letters, they can reveal the structure. An 'A' at the beginning and another 'AS' somewhere in the middle strongly suggests the pattern is "AS [adjective] AS A [noun]". This is a very common construction for similes in English.
3. Leverage the Whimsy: Many of these phrases are memorable because they are playful, often involving rhymes or alliteration. Once you suspect the "as...as a..." pattern, you can start thinking of adjectives that fit. If you get the word "LOOSE" from crossings, your mind should immediately jump to things that rhyme with it. "Moose"? "Caboose"? Ah, "Goose"!
4. Confirm with Crossings: For a 15-letter answer, you'll almost certainly need a few crossing letters to confirm your guess. Don't be afraid to pencil in a hypothesis and see if the perpendicular clues make sense.

Background Context

The phrase "as loose as a goose" is an idiomatic simile used to describe someone who is extremely relaxed, limber, or uninhibited. The rhyme between loose and goose makes it catchy and memorable, a common feature in folk sayings. While the exact origin is unclear, it's part of a large family of English similes that use animals for vivid comparison, such as "sly as a fox," "busy as a bee," or "proud as a peacock."

The meaning can be purely physical (like a dancer or athlete who is very flexible) or it can describe a mental or social state of being free from stress or social constraints.

Conclusion

This clue is a great test of a solver's familiarity with common English idioms. While the definition is simple, the answer is specific and playful. Solving it often provides that satisfying "aha!" moment when the whimsical phrase clicks into place, unlocking a large portion of the puzzle grid. It's a reminder that crosswords are not just about vocabulary, but about the rich tapestry of language itself.

Hints

1. Hint 1: The answer is a well-known idiomatic phrase, a type of simile, describing a state of being extremely relaxed.
2. Hint 2: This phrase follows the common comparative pattern 'as [adjective] as a [noun]'.
3. Hint 3: The adjective and the noun in the phrase rhyme with each other.
4. Hint 4: The animal in the phrase is a large water bird known for honking.