The clue "Conditions" hints at stipulations or terms. "Ifs" is often used to describe conditional statements, as in "ifs and buts" or hypothetical scenarios (e.g., "if this happens..."). This wordplay aligns with the crossword solution "IFS."
4GNATS?????✨ See Why
The clue "Bitty biters that can drive you buggy?" hints at small (bitty) insects that metaphorically "bug" or annoy you. The wordplay involves "buggy," relating to both annoyance and insects. GNATS are tiny biting insects known for being pests, making them the perfect answer.
6DUKES?????✨ See Why
The solution "DUKES" fits because dukes are historically high-ranking nobles in European peerage systems, typically ranking just below monarchs. This aligns with the clue "High-ranking nobles," which directly describes their societal status. The clue is straightforward with no wordplay involved.
7PREEN?????✨ See Why
The clue "Monopolize the mirror, say" suggests an activity involving excessive attention to appearance, tied to vanity. "PREEN" means to groom or admire oneself proudly, often in a mirror. The word "say" signals a pun or figurative meaning, aligning with this self-focused behavior. Hence, PREEN fits perfectly.
8ESL???✨ See Why
The answer "ESL" stands for "English as a Second Language." Night schools often offer ESL classes to help non-native speakers learn English, making it a common subject taught in such settings. The clue hints at this by referencing a subject typically associated with adult education.
Down
1INURE?????✨ See Why
The word "inure" means to accustom or adapt someone to something, especially something unpleasant, which aligns with the clue "Get used (to)." It reflects the process of building tolerance or familiarity, fitting the definition directly.
2FAKES?????✨ See Why
In football (gridiron), "fakes" are deceptive moves where a player pretends to perform one action (e.g., passing, running) but does another to mislead opponents. The clue’s mention of "deceptive" directly connects to this tactic, making FAKES the fitting answer.
3STEEL?????✨ See Why
The answer "STEEL" fits the clue because a "steel guitar" is a special type of guitar associated with country music, known for its distinctive twangy sound. It’s often played with a slide or pedal mechanism, producing the characteristic tone described in the clue.
4GDP???✨ See Why
GDP, or Gross Domestic Product, measures the total value of goods and services produced within a country. It is a fundamental "yardstick" in economics to gauge a country’s economic performance, making it the perfect fit for "Econ. yardstick." The abbreviation aligns with the concise clue style.
5SSN???✨ See Why
The answer "SSN" refers to Social Security Number, a key piece of personal information required on many IRS forms for tax identification purposes. The clue "IRS form info" straightforwardly points to information typically needed to file taxes, making SSN the correct and fitting solution.
Stuck on today’s LA Times Mini? Lady Puzzle’s here to help! Use the interactive grid to flip question marks and reveal letters one by one, check any clue in the list below, or uncover the whole puzzle at once. Plus, get explanations for why each answer works. Here is your go-to tool for solving the LA Times Mini (a free alternative to the now paid NYT Mini)!
This Friday LA Times Mini has a playful mix of direct and tricky clues. Most answers are quick wins (DUKES, ESL, SSN) but there are a couple of true speed bumps. GNUTS is the standout, with its punny twist on “gnats” that pairs “bitty biters” with “buggy” for a head-scratcher. INURE also feels tougher, since it’s more crossword-ese than everyday speech. Combined with snappy entries like PREEN and FAKES, the puzzle balances fun misdirection with some chewy vocabulary, making it a lively end-of-week solve.
Here’s what caught our attention today:
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The LA Times Mini Crossword is a daily, bite-sized puzzle from the Los Angeles Times. Designed for quick solving, it delivers the fun of a full crossword in a compact format that takes just a few minutes to complete. The puzzle is edited by Elizabeth C. Gorski, a veteran crossword constructor and editor who has also created puzzles for The New York Times and Zynga.
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