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With 22-Across, 1973 film starring Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe - NYT The Midi Clue

Across

  • The clue "Opposite of failure" directly defines the answer. Failure means not achieving a desired goal or result, while success represents accomplishing it—the opposite state. Both terms are antonyms, making "SUCCESS" the fitting solution for this straightforward clue.

  • DELONGHI is a well-known Italian espresso machine brand. In the puzzle, it hides the string “LONG,” with “HI” following it and echoing the theme’s idea of a “continuous wave” connecting “HI” and “GOODBYE” across entries.

  • The clue "In bed, but not lying down" involves a literal interpretation of positioning. If someone is in bed yet not lying flat, they would be SITTING UP, which perfectly fits the clue's description. The answer reflects both being in a bed and maintaining an upright posture.

  • Tin and tungsten are both elements found on the periodic table, and they share the classification of being metals. The clue directly points to the category they belong to, making "METAL" the correct and straightforward answer.

  • The clue "So gross" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken reaction. "UGH" is an exclamation often used to express disgust or revulsion, matching the sentiment of "So gross." It captures the emotional reaction in just one succinct, nonverbal word, making it the perfect fit.

  • SABLE is the solution because it refers to the fur of the sable, a small mammal native to Russia and Asia, known for its luxurious and highly valuable fur. This fur has historically been considered a status symbol, making it a "high-priced" type of fur.

  • The clue "Head, Shoulders, Knees and ___" refers to the popular children's song "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," where the body parts are named sequentially. The missing word to complete the phrase is "TOES," making it the correct answer.

  • The clue "Check it out!" ends with an exclamation point and is in quotes, signaling conversational phrasing. "Look" matches because it's a common spoken command or suggestion to "check out" or examine something visually. It's direct, fitting the informal tone of the clue perfectly.

  • THELONG pairs with GOODBYE to form The Long Goodbye, the 1973 film starring Elliott Gould. It highlights the “LONG” element of the theme, acting as the bridge between “THE” and “GOODBYE.”

  • GOODBYE completes THELONG to form The Long Goodbye. It represents the closing half of the theme’s “HI” → “GOODBYE” progression, with “LONG” acting as the continuous connector between greetings and farewells.

  • The clue "Out of the ordinary" directly aligns with the definition of UNUSUAL. Both phrases describe something atypical, uncommon, or not routine. This straightforward relationship between the clue and the answer emphasizes their synonymous nature, making UNUSUAL the correct solution.

  • The answer "MET" fits the clue "Was introduced to" because to meet someone is to be introduced to them in person. In past tense, "met" directly describes the action of having been introduced to someone. Its simplicity aligns perfectly with the clue's straightforward wording.

  • The clue "Your" of yore employs the phrase "of yore" to signal an old-fashioned or archaic term for "your." THY is the possessive pronoun used historically in English, equivalent to the modern "your." It fits perfectly as the answer for this clue.

Down

  • The phrase "SET THE TONE" means to establish the mood, attitude, or direction for something, perfectly aligning with "Establish how things are going to go." It suggests creating the framework or initial standard, making it a fitting, direct answer to the clue.

  • ULTA is the solution because it refers to ULTA Beauty, a major beauty retailer and competitor to Sephora. Both stores sell cosmetics, skincare, and beauty products, making them direct rivals in the same industry. This straightforward clue points to ULTA as a logical answer.

  • The clue "Winds like a snake" describes the action of twisting or curving, which is characteristic of a snake's movement. The word "COILS" refers to circular or winding shapes, often used to describe how snakes curl or loop themselves, perfectly matching the clue's imagery.

  • Abby Phillip is a journalist and anchor associated with CNN, a major American news network. The clue directly references her network, making "CNN" the correct solution. It's a straightforward factual clue without wordplay or alternate interpretations.

  • The answer is EGG because bakers commonly crack eggs when preparing baked goods like cakes, cookies, or bread. The clue is literal—eggs are a staple ingredient in baking and are physically "cracked" before use, making this a straightforward and logical solution.

  • The answer "SHU" completes the dish name "Moo Shu Pork," a classic Chinese dish made with pork, vegetables, and thin pancakes. The clue directly references this well-known recipe by omitting the second word, prompting solvers to fill in “Shu.”

  • The clue "Drink in small quantities" directly defines SIP, which means to take a small, measured amount of a liquid. The word accurately conveys the act of drinking minimally, fitting the clue perfectly. It’s a straightforward and literal match!

  • The answer is DIEGO because Diego Maradona (1960–2020) was a legendary Argentine soccer player, widely celebrated for his extraordinary skills and achievements, including leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The clue refers to his iconic first name.

  • The clue "Spicy BookTok fodder" refers to the trending, provocative, or risqué books often discussed on BookTok (a community on TikTok for book lovers). "Spicy" hints at steamy or explicit content, which is colloquially referred to as "SMUT," making it the perfect fit for the answer.

  • The phrase "Very nearly" means something just short of being complete or all-encompassing, which aligns with the expression "ALL BUT." "ALL BUT" implies "almost entirely" or "everything except," directly tying to the clue's meaning of being "very nearly."

  • The clue "Take that!" in quotes signals a spoken exclamation. "BOOYAH" is a celebratory or triumphant cry often used when emphatically proving a point or achieving something, fitting the tone of "Take that!" as a victorious or defiant expression.

  • The clue "In need of some company" directly describes someone who feels the emotional state of being alone and longing for companionship. The word "LONELY" perfectly encapsulates this feeling, making it the accurate solution for the clue.

  • The answer is EKG because it stands for electrocardiogram, a test that records the electrical activity of the heart to assess its function. The clue specifies "for short," indicating an abbreviation, which EKG is. It's a standard medical test used to monitor heart health.

  • The clue "Holler" directly refers to a loud call or cry, which is synonymous with "SHOUT." Both words describe the act of raising one's voice forcefully, making SHOUT a perfect match for the straightforward definition provided by the clue.

  • EDS is short for "editors," who are the individuals in publishing or media that review and evaluate written work, often receiving "pitches" (ideas or proposals) from writers. The abbreviation aligns with the clue's use of "Abbr." for a shortened answer.

  • The clue is playful, using "Wad" to describe chewed gum, which can be stuck under a desk—an all-too-common sight in schools or public spaces.

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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 7-letter answer to the With 22-Across, 1973 film starring Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe clue? Don’t worry—Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you want the answer right away, revealed letter by letter, or if this wordplay seems too puzzling, keep reading for the explanation.

With 22-Across, 1973 film starring Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe Answer Explained

The answer is THELONG.

THELONG is the first half of the film title The Long Goodbye (1973), a noir classic starring Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe. In the puzzle, it works with GOODBYE (22-Across) to complete the full title. Thematically, it foregrounds “LONG” as the continuous element running through the grid. Unlike DELONGHI, where “LONG” and HI are embedded in a single word, here LONG and GOODBYE split between two entries. This reinforces the “continuous wave” idea: “LONG” persists while “HI” and “GOODBYE” represent endpoints of communication, cleverly tying language, structure, and theme together.

Now that you've cracked the 20A With 22-Across, 1973 film starring Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s Midi Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry, we've got you covered. Explore more NYT The Midi crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the NYT Crossword, NYT The Mini puzzle, Connections, or Strands.

Today’s NYT Midi Highlights

Erik Agard’s Continuous Wave theme is a clever, visually driven construction that plays with the idea of “LONG” as an unbroken signal. Using entries like DELONGHI and THE LONG GOODBYE, the puzzle highlights “LONG” as a continuous thread, reinforced by the circled letters, while “HI” and “GOODBYE” act as natural conversational endpoints. The result is a satisfying blend of wordplay and grid design, where the theme is both seen and read.
The long themer, split across 2 clues, The Long Goodbye, referencing the 1973 film starring Elliott Gould, neatly anchors the concept, bridging classic cinema with crossword structure. Meanwhile, DELONGHI adds a modern, everyday touch, showing Agard’s knack for mixing cultural registers.
The fill is smooth and lively, with standouts like SETTHETONE and BOOYAH adding energy, while shorter entries keep the grid accessible. Overall, the puzzle balances thematic ambition with solvability, delivering a clean, cohesive solve that feels both playful and polished.

Here’s what caught our attention today:

About The Midi

The Midi is a daily crossword puzzle designed to sit between the quick satisfaction of The Mini and the depth of the full Daily Crossword. It offers a compact but more layered solving experience, giving players a new step in the New York Times Games lineup.

While officially launched as a daily puzzle in February 2026, the concept was tested earlier through special puzzle packs and more recently in newsletter editions. Those experiments helped shape what is now a permanent daily feature available exclusively online through the New York Times Games app and website.

Format and Structure

Most Midi puzzles use a 9×9 grid (larger than The Mini but smaller than the traditional crossword), allowing for richer wordplay and themed construction without requiring a long solving session. Toward the end of the week, grids may expand up to 11×11, and occasionally the puzzle appears in non-square formats, with different numbers of rows and columns.

Unlike The Mini, every Midi includes a title, offering a subtle hint at the puzzle’s theme or solving trick. These titles add an extra layer of discovery while keeping the experience approachable.

A Digital-First Puzzle

The Midi is built specifically for digital play. It does not appear in print, and it is available through the New York Times app and website only for subscribers.

Designing the puzzle for screens allows for occasional visual effects and interactive moments that enhance the solving experience in ways print cannot. Even with these innovations, the philosophy remains consistent: puzzles are still handcrafted by human constructors and editors, preserving the editorial voice and thoughtful construction that define New York Times Games.

Editorial Approach

The Midi is edited by Ian Livengood, who also oversees Pips. He creates about three Midi puzzles each week while collaborating with a rotating group of approximately fifteen contributors whose submissions are carefully edited before publication.

This editorial model mirrors the structure used across The New York Times crosswords, where dedicated editors maintain quality and style (like Will Shortz for The Daily and Joel Fagliano for The Mini).

New Rules and Creative Flexibility

The Midi introduces several notable changes to traditional crossword conventions, like:

  • Each puzzle features a title. Before, only Sunday NYT puzzles had a title. In Midi, this is meant to give a clue about the theme without needing a distinct clue to play the role of a theme revealer.
  • Grids may occasionally break from square symmetry, which is something also happening in the Mini, especially those made by Sam Ezersky.
  • Two-letter answers are allowed - this is a feature borrowed from cryptic puzzles, allowing Scrabble (and NYT Crossplay) fans to bank on their skills.

Daily Availability

Puzzles are accessible the evening before the publish date. Weekday and Saturday puzzles: 10 p.m. EST the previous day. Sunday puzzles: 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.

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