"At this rate" refers to the current pace or speed of something. It is used to describe how things are progressing or happening at a given moment. For example, if someone says, "We won't finish the project on time at this rate," they mean that based on the current progress, it is unlikely that the project will be completed within the allotted time frame.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: "The way things are going so far …". Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.