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Legal action between Apple and Samsung? - NYT The Midi Clue

Across

  • The "+" key on a keyboard is commonly used to perform addition in mathematical operations. "Use the + key" is a clue that hints at "adding" or the action of addition, which aligns perfectly with the answer "ADD."

  • The answer is HUM because to hum is to produce a musical sound with closed lips, effectively "singing" without using actual words. The clue "Sing wordlessly" directly describes this action, making HUM the perfect match.

  • PORK is the solution because kosher dietary laws, as outlined in Jewish tradition, prohibit the consumption of pork and any products derived from pigs. These laws specify that only certain animals are kosher, and pigs do not meet the required criteria for consumption.

  • The clue "Bills in tip jars, often" refers to the small denominations of currency typically left as tips. "ONES" fits because $1 bills are commonly used for tipping in the U.S., especially in tip jars. The plural "bills" aligns with the plural answer "ONES."

  • “Case” can mean both a lawsuit and a phone cover. The clue’s question mark signals wordplay: instead of a courtroom battle, it’s literally a case for a phone, something Apple and Samsung make. The “legal action” is humorously reinterpreted as a physical object.

  • The answer "PIN" is correct because it stands for "Personal Identification Number," which is a passcode required to verify a user’s identity when accessing an ATM. The clue directly refers to the code used in this context, making "PIN" the precise solution.

  • The clue "AOL alternative" references two prominent internet services. AOL (America Online) and MSN (Microsoft Network) were both widely used platforms for internet access, email, and instant messaging, especially in the 1990s and 2000s. Thus, MSN is the logical alternative to AOL in this context.

  • A “suit” can be a lawsuit or a set of clothing. The clue suggests taking legal action against Santa Claus, but the answer flips to his outfit: SANTASUIT; it turns courtroom language into festive attire.

  • The clue "401(k) alternative" refers to types of retirement savings plans. A 401(k) is employer-sponsored, while an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is another option for saving for retirement but is typically set up individually, not through an employer. Thus, IRA fits as the alternative.

  • The clue "KFC and KPMG: Abbr." refers to the abbreviation for companies. Both KFC (a fast-food chain) and KPMG (a professional services firm) are companies, abbreviated as COS. This shorthand is often used in business contexts and fits the clue's abbreviation indicator.

  • A “trial” can be a court proceeding or a test. The clue hints at a legal case involving Time magazine’s “Person of the Year,” but the answer is TIMETRIAL—a race against the clock, not a courtroom event.

  • The answer "ASEA" fits because it literally means "on the ocean" or "at sea." It describes being on the water, aligning perfectly with the straightforward clue. It’s a common term in crossword puzzles for nautical or oceanic references.

  • The answer is ENVY because jealousy and envy are closely associated emotions. Jealousy typically involves fear of losing something, while envy is the desire for what others have. In crosswords, "Jealousy" often directly points to ENVY as its simpler and synonymous counterpart.

  • In music notation, a "rest" indicates a pause in playing, and certain rest symbols—like the "straight eighth rest"—can resemble a lightning bolt with their angular shape. The clue’s comparison to a lightning bolt hints at this visual aspect, making "REST" the correct answer.

  • The clue "___ willikers!" is a common exclamation, and "GEE" fits as it is a mild expression of surprise or amazement, often paired with "willikers" in informal speech. Quotes in the clue signal spoken language, guiding toward this interjection.

Down

  • The answer is "APP" because both Duolingo and DoorDash are applications ("apps") that users download on their devices. The clue describes popular digital platforms designed for specific tasks—language learning (Duolingo) and food delivery (DoorDash)—commonly known as apps.

  • The clue "Homer Simpson catchphrase" refers to a widely recognized expression used by the character Homer in The Simpsons. His iconic exclamation "D'oh!" is used whenever he realizes he has made a mistake or something has gone wrong, making DOH the correct answer.

  • The phrase "Casually mention one's famous friends" describes the act of "dropping names," where someone subtly includes the names of well-known people they know in conversation to impress others. The term "DROPNAMES" directly captures this exact behavior, making it the fitting solution.

  • The phrase "Ad hoc" translates from Latin as "for this purpose" and refers to something created for a specific task or need. An "Ad hoc committee" is a temporary group formed to address a particular issue, explaining why "HOC" completes the clue "Ad ___ committee."

  • The clue "Not funny" directly defines something lacking humor or entertainment value. The word UNAMUSING is a synonym for "not funny," as it describes something dull, unentertaining, or failing to amuse. This makes UNAMUSING the perfect fit for this straightforward, non-punny clue.

  • The answer is MESSI because Lionel Messi is a legendary Argentine soccer player, widely regarded as superhuman in his skill and talent. The "alien" description reflects his extraordinary abilities that seem out of this world, while "dedicates himself to playing with humans" emphasizes his unmatched greatness in the sport.

  • "Make a blanket" refers to crafting a blanket, and "perhaps" suggests one potential method—knitting. Knitting is a common way to create blankets using yarn, making KNIT the fitting answer.

  • In Gmail, "Drafts" refers to emails that are written but not yet sent. The folder near "Drafts" in the interface is "Sent," containing emails you have successfully delivered. Thus, the logical answer to the clue is SENT.

  • The clue "Put into effect, as a law" directly corresponds to the word ENACT because "enact" means to officially make a law or regulation operative through legislative approval. It’s a precise legal term for implementing or enforcing a law, aligning perfectly with the clue's definition.

  • The sitar is a traditional Indian string instrument with 18 to 21 strings. It’s widely used in classical Indian music, with its distinctive resonant sound achieved through sympathetic strings, frets, and a gourd body. The clue directly defines the instrument, making SITAR the correct answer.

  • The clue "Get out of bed" is a straightforward definition-based clue. The word "arise" means to get up, especially from a lying or seated position, such as getting out of bed in the morning. Thus, "ARISE" serves as a direct synonym for the action described.

  • The clue "Really feeling a workout" hints at the physical sensation after intense exercise. When you push your muscles during a workout, they often feel "sore" as a result of strain or effort. "SORE" perfectly matches this description of post-workout discomfort.

  • The clue "Grab a snack, say" suggests a general action associated with eating lightly or casually. "Say" indicates a straightforward synonym or descriptive phrase. To grab a snack is to "EAT" something, fitting the clue perfectly as both a simple and broadly understood action.

  • The clue "Street crosser, for short" seeks an abbreviation for something that intersects streets. "AVE" stands for "Avenue," which commonly crosses streets in urban layouts. The clue hints at a shortened form ("for short"), making AVE the fitting answer.

  • The answer "LYE" works because it's a cleaning substance commonly used in soapmaking. The clue's wordplay lies in "dishonest-sounding" — "LYE" is a homophone for "lie," suggesting deceit. This pun ties the literal and figurative meanings together cleverly.

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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 9-letter answer to the Legal action between Apple and Samsung? 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.

Legal action between Apple and Samsung? Answer Explained

The answer is PHONECASE.

This clue hinges on the double meaning of “case.” In legal terms, a case is a lawsuit, fitting for two tech giants like Apple and Samsung, who are known for patent disputes. But the answer, PHONECASE, shifts “case” to its more everyday meaning: a protective cover for a phone. The question mark alerts us that the clue is playful, not literal. Instead of imagining a courtroom showdown, we picture a product associated with their devices. The humor comes from recasting a serious “legal action” as something mundane and tangible, neatly aligning with the puzzle’s theme of legal phrasing turned into ordinary compound words.

Now that you've cracked the 11A Legal action between Apple and Samsung? 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

Rena Cohen’s Order in the Court clicked for me pretty quickly once I saw the legal twist hiding inside everyday phrases. The themers—PHONECASE, SANTASUIT, and TIMETRIAL—all cleverly reframe familiar terms as courtroom scenarios, and I enjoyed that little mental pivot each time. “Legal action between Apple and Samsung?” for PHONECASE was probably my favorite, simple, but sharp.
The fill felt smooth and approachable, with nice modern touches like APP and MSN alongside classics like LYE and AVE. I also liked the mix of trivia and wordplay. Seeing Lionel Messi clued so colorfully added personality. Clues like DROPNAMES and UNAMUSING gave the grid some attitude, too.
Overall, it was an easy but satisfying midweek solve for me. The theme wasn’t overly complex, but it was consistent and clean, which made the whole puzzle feel polished. A fun, breezy courtroom session.

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.

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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.
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