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Certain audio download, casually ... or holder of this puzzle's circled letters? - NYT The Midi Clue
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The phrase "Not feeling 100%" suggests being unwell or ill. The word "SICK" directly describes this state, as it means feeling physically or mentally unwell, aligning perfectly with the clue's straightforward meaning. No wordplay or additional indicators complicate this clue.
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The answer is QUIP because it refers to a witty or clever remark, aligning with the clue's description of players responding to prompts with sharp, humorous statements. Additionally, "Quiplash" is a popular party game where players create amusing responses to prompts, fitting the wordplay in the clue.
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Ctrl+Z is a common keyboard shortcut in computing used to reverse or cancel the most recent action, effectively "undoing" it. The answer "UNDO" directly describes this function, making it the perfect fit for the clue.
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The clue, enclosed in quotes, signals a spoken phrase expressing hesitation or decline. "Hmm ... I think I'll pass" mirrors the sentiment conveyed by "UMNO," which phonetically sounds like "Um, no," a casual verbal way to decline something. Thus, UMNO fits perfectly as the answer.
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An escape act is a classic stunt performed by illusionists like Harry Houdini, involving breaking free from restraints. In the puzzle, it hides the letters “PEA,” tying it to the theme where circled letters appear embedded within longer answers.
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American figure skater Alysa Liu won two gold medals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, dominating the women's singles and team events after completing a historic comeback from a two-year retirement.
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“Cheap eats” means inexpensive food options. It also contains the hidden “PEA” letter sequence, aligning with the theme of repeated circled letters embedded within longer answers.
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The clue "Propeller in a galley" refers to a device that propels a vessel in a galley, a type of ship often rowed by hand. An "oar" is used to row and propel such ships. The direct connection between "propeller" and the oar makes it the fitting answer.
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The clue "Spit bars" uses wordplay, as "spit" suggests speaking and "bars" refers to lines in a rap verse. Rappers "spit bars" when performing rap lyrics. Thus, the answer is RAP, fitting the slang term for delivering rhythmic, lyrical verses.
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The clue "Hold your horses!" in quotes signals a spoken phrase. "Whoa" is a command traditionally used to stop horses, and it's also commonly used to tell someone to pause or slow down, matching the meaning of the clue figuratively and literally.
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The phrase "To thine own ___ be true" is a famous line from Shakespeare's Hamlet. It advises staying true to oneself. The blank is logically filled with "SELF," completing the well-known quote: "To thine own self be true."
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Ad-speak refers to promotional language like “While supplies last!” It includes the hidden “PEA” sequence, fitting the puzzle’s theme of repeated embedded letter clusters.
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The clue "Brings in" refers to generating or obtaining something, often income or a reward. "EARNS" fits because it describes the act of gaining through effort, work, or achievement—commonly associated with "bringing in" money, recognition, or benefits. The definition aligns directly with the clue.
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A “pod” can mean a podcast (casually) or a container for peas. Here, it explains the theme: the circled “PEA” letter groups are like peas held inside the longer answers.
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The clue "Un-settle?" with a question mark suggests wordplay. To "unsettle" someone can mean to disturb or bring a claim against them. In legal terms, this is often done by filing a lawsuit. Hence, the answer is "SUE," which means to take legal action, effectively "un-settling" someone.
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The phrase "___ and outs" refers to the common expression "ins and outs," which describes the details or inner workings of something. "INS" fits as the missing word completing the phrase, matching both the structure and meaning of the clue.
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The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is a prominent U.S. public health organization responsible for controlling and preventing diseases. The clue directly describes the CDC's role, making it the correct answer. It’s a widely recognized acronym in health and medicine.
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The answer is KOALA because koalas are marsupials native to Australia. Though often called "koala bears" due to their bear-like appearance, they are not bears at all. This clue addresses the common misconception, pointing to the koala as the correct mammal.
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The answer "QUEUE" fits the clue "Line" because "queue" is a synonym for a line, such as a line of people or items waiting in order. This is a direct, straightforward definition without any wordplay or alternate meanings involved.
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The answer is UMA because Uma Thurman is a well-known actress famous for roles in films like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. The clue directly references her surname, "Thurman," making "UMA" the correct and straightforward response.
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The clue "L.L.C. alternative" refers to types of business structures. An L.L.C. (Limited Liability Company) and an INC. (Incorporated) are both legal designations for companies. INC. is the alternative, representing a corporation that is formally incorporated, making it the correct answer.
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The answer "POT" refers to marijuana, commonly known as "pot." Marijuana has been legalized for recreational use in 24 U.S. states as of recent legislation. The clue emphasizes this substance's shift toward legal acceptance, making "POT" the correct answer.
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A "pip" is the term for the small dots or marks on each face of a die that indicate its value. The clue "Dot on a die" directly describes these marks, making "PIP" the fitting answer.
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The answer is COW because cows are quintessential animals found on dairy farms, where they are raised primarily for milk production. The clue directly describes an animal commonly associated with dairy products, making "COW" the straightforward and accurate solution.
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The clue "LOL!" is presented in quotes, indicating the answer is a similar spoken expression or reaction. "LOL" stands for "laugh out loud," and "HAHA" is a written or verbal representation of laughter, aligning perfectly as a humorous response or equivalent to "LOL!" in tone and meaning.
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The answer "ERODE" fits because it means to gradually wear away or break down something, often due to natural forces like water, wind, or ice. This directly aligns with the clue as soil can be worn away through erosion, making "ERODE" the perfect match.
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The clue "Locales" refers to places or locations. "Areas" is a synonym for locales, as it also describes specific regions or spaces. This straightforward clue doesn’t involve any wordplay; it simply asks for a term synonymous with places or locations, making "AREAS" the correct answer.
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The phrase "dirty talk," "baby talk," and "empty talk" are common expressions in English, each pairing the given adjectives with the noun "talk." The clue prompts a term that fits after all three words, making "TALK" the correct answer.
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SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor," a measurement of how well sunscreen (or tanning lotion) protects the skin from UV rays. Since the clue asks for "tanning lotion inits.," SPF is the correct abbreviation directly associated with these products.
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The clue "Right now!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "ASAP" (short for "as soon as possible") matches the urgency implied by "Right now!"—a direct, immediate demand for action or attention. Hence, ASAP fits as the solution.
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The answer is SEND because it's the button used to transmit a message. Accidentally pressing "SEND" can result in messages being sent prematurely or with errors, which one might regret. The clue plays on this relatable texting mishap, making SEND the fitting solution.
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The answer is PRO because "Not anti" implies being in favor of something, and "pro" is a common prefix or standalone word meaning "for" or "in support of." It directly contrasts with "anti," which means opposed to or against. Hence, PRO fits perfectly.
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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 3-letter answer to the Certain audio download, casually ... or holder of this puzzle's circled letters? 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.
Certain audio download, casually ... or holder of this puzzle's circled letters? Answer Explained
The answer is POD.
POD serves as the puzzle’s revealer, cleverly clued as both a casual term for a podcast and a container that holds peas. This dual meaning unlocks the theme: the circled letters “PEA” appear inside multiple answers, like peas in a pod. Each themer contains one of these clusters, visually and conceptually grouping them together. The revealer ties everything neatly, transforming a simple repeated-letter gimmick into a cohesive idea. It’s a compact but satisfying payoff typical of a well-constructed Mini puzzle theme.
Now that you've cracked the 28A Certain audio download, casually ... or holder of this puzzle's circled letters? 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
Kareem Ayas’s “Seddy Business” is a tidy, playful Monday Mini with a light but satisfying theme. The revealer POD cleverly points to the hidden “PEA” clusters (a playful twist on “peas in a pod”), embedded across ESCAPE ACT, CHEAP EATS, and AD SPEAK. It’s a subtle visual/letter pattern rather than a heavy wordplay gimmick, making it approachable for solvers easing into the week.
The grid leans easy, with clean, familiar fill like SICK, UNDO, and QUEUE, keeping momentum smooth. A few clues, for example UMNO and the cheeky “Un-settle?” for SUE, add just enough spark. Overall, it’s a breezy solve elevated by a neat, well-integrated theme that rewards careful observation without slowing things down.
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.