35 Across

NYT Daily • August 3, 2025

"Now that we're all here, please proceed"

Answer:

OKGO

Hint:

["**Hint:** Think of a casual way to say \"all is well\" followed by a simple command to move forward.\n\n*(This hint guides the solver toward the two-part structure of the answer—\"OK\" and \"GO\"—without explicitly stating them, making it easier than the original clue while still requiring some deduction.)*"]

Explanation:

The clue *"Now that we're all here, please proceed"* leads to the answer **"OKGO"** through a combination of abbreviation and wordplay. 1. **"Now that we're all here"** suggests that everyone is present, which can be represented by **"OK"** (a casual affirmation meaning "all is well" or "ready"). 2. **"Please proceed"** implies moving forward or going, which can be abbreviated as **"GO"**. 3. Combining these two parts gives **"OKGO"**, a concise and playful way to convey the message. Additionally, **"OKGO"** is the name of an American rock band, which might add a layer of cultural reference for solvers familiar with the group. However, the primary solution relies on the straightforward breakdown of the phrase into its abbreviated components.