Clue Analysis
The answer to the clue “Something to pick up at a beach?” in the NYT Crossword on July 21, 2025, is TAN.
Why is TAN the Answer for “Something to pick up at a beach?”?
This is a classic example of a crossword clue using a simple pun to trick you. The question mark at the end is your signal to look for a non literal meaning.
The key is the double meaning of the phrase “pick up”:
- Literal Meaning: To physically lift something, like a seashell.
- Figurative Meaning: To acquire or get something, like how your skin “picks up” color from the sun.
The clue plays on this ambiguity. You don’t physically pick up a tan, but you certainly can get one at the beach. It’s a short, sweet, and clever piece of wordplay.
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