24 Across
NYT Daily • August 11, 2025
Handle some personal baggage?
Answer:
STOW
Hint:
Think about how you might secure your luggage on a plane.
Explanation:
The clue plays on the double meaning of "handle" and "baggage." "Handle" can mean to manage or deal with something, while "baggage" refers to personal emotional issues or literal luggage. "Stow" fits because it means to store or pack away, which aligns with handling luggage, and it also subtly hints at dealing with personal issues by putting them aside. The wordplay ties both interpretations together neatly.