"You're overthinking this" ... or what might be said about 3-, 9-, 17- and 34-Down?

ITSNOTTHATDEEP

"Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword clue: "Casual response to someone reading too much into things." This hint points toward the informal, dismissive tone of the answer without giving it away directly. It also avoids repeating the original clue while still guiding the solver toward the idea of simplicity or overanalysis."

This clue is a playful example of a crossword entry that directly references itself and other parts of the puzzle. Here's the breakdown: 1. "You're overthinking this": This phrase is often used to dismiss excessive analysis of a simple matter, suggesting that the answer is straightforward or not as complex as it seems.