87 Across

NYT Daily • August 3, 2025

Be a wingman, e.g.

Answer:

ASSIST

Hint:

["**Hint:** *Help out, as a teammate might.*\n\nThis hint keeps the focus on the idea of support or aid, which is central to both the clue and the answer, while avoiding direct repetition of \"wingman\" or \"e.g.\" It gently guides the solver toward the concept of assistance without giving away the answer outright."]

Explanation:

The clue **"Be a wingman, e.g."** leads to the answer **"ASSIST"** through the following reasoning: 1. **Definition Connection**: A "wingman" is someone who helps or supports another person, often in social or romantic contexts. The word **"assist"** means to help or support, making it a direct synonym for the role of a wingman. 2. **Example Indicator ("e.g.")**: The abbreviation **"e.g."** (short for *exempli gratia*, meaning "for example") signals that the answer is an example of the action described in the clue. Thus, "be a wingman" is an example of providing assistance. 3. **Wordplay**: There is no complex wordplay here—just a straightforward definition-based clue where the answer is a synonym for the role described. In summary, the clue defines the role of a wingman as providing assistance, leading directly to the answer **"ASSIST."**