If you're "in the red", you're in this, not where you want to be financially
Debt
One who does this threatens to reveal damaging information if not paid to keep quiet
Blackmails
It's a synonym for carousel
Merry-go-round
"The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-quarters", "The Sorting Hat"
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Elation + a broken-off part of a tree = this video game control lever
Joystick
Ships usually "drop" this when they want to stay in place
Anchor
When one of these is "raised", it's a warning of danger
Red flag
According to the Flag Code, for 30 days after the death of a president, the flag should be flown this way
Half-staff
"Baskerville Hall", "First Report of Dr. Watson"
The Hound of the Baskervilles
A circular piece of jewelry + an informal term for a dish like French fries = this first-row area for boxing fans
Ringside
Beating "Shoplifters" & "Cold War", "Roma" won the 2018 award in this Oscar category
Foreign film
Not a full but a partial loss of electrical power
Brownout
Like the platypus, dinosaurs known as hadrosaurs have this descriptive facial adjective applied to them
Duck-bill
"Tom Shows His Generosity--Aunt Polly Weakens"
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Murray or Hader + a cut piece of wood = this outdoor ad space where you'd see Murray's & Hader's names
Billboard
Claymores & scimitars are types of these
Swords
A drawing made in designing a building, or any plan, as in one "for success"
Blueprint
It takes about a week to travel the 5,700-mile route from Moscow to Vladivostok on this railway
Trans-Siberian
"Huts on the Beach", "Castle Rock"
Lord of the Flies
To inspect the safety of something + a friend or pal = this chess term
Checkmate
From the Latin for "body", the Marines are a formidable one
More verdant paddocks, or something more promising, like a new job
Greener pastures
During the Revolutionary War, George Washington had many of these confidential assistants including Alexander Hamilton
Aide-de-camp
"Mowgli's Brothers"
The Jungle Book
A car essential + a synonym for domicile = this, a batter's preferred area to hit the ball, right in his...
Wheelhouse