“Preparation for many a surprise party” crossword clue

Reveal the answer to see why it works and where this clue has appeared before.RUSE is the answer to the New York Times crossword clue “Preparation for many a surprise party”. It was last seen in the puzzle of January 1, 2026, where it runs at 17 Across and fills 4 squares. It crosses 4 other entries in that grid — those are listed below and are the quickest way to confirm the letters you already have.