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"I'll take that as ___" - NYT The Midi Clue
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The clue "Floor model" plays on word meanings. A "Floor model" refers to a display item in a store for customers to test or view—a demonstration unit. "Demo" is short for "demonstration," fitting this definition while maintaining the clue's succinct wordplay.
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The clue “Editorial slant” suggests a particular leaning or perspective in editorials. The word “bias” perfectly fits, as it means a predisposition or favoritism toward one viewpoint or side, often reflected in writing or reporting. Therefore, BIAS is the apt solution here.
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The answer "ERIN" refers to Erin Jackson, the speedskater who became the first Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold medal in an individual event. She achieved this historic milestone in the women's 500-meter speedskating event at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
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The clue "Against" directly translates to being opposed to something, which aligns with the prefix "ANTI." "ANTI" is commonly used to describe opposition, such as in "anti-war" or "anti-establishment," making it the perfect fit for this straightforward clue.
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The answer is PINETREES because many car air fresheners are shaped like pine trees. This shape is iconic, particularly for brands like “Little Trees,” and symbolizes freshness, often associated with the outdoors and evergreen pine scents. The clue directly references their common design.
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The clue uses wordplay with "family member" as a hint. A PET (like a dog or cat) is often considered part of the family. Additionally, many people use their pet's name as a simple and memorable password, making "PET" a fitting answer.
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The clue "Cubes in a cocktail" directly refers to ice cubes, which are commonly added to cocktails to chill them. The word "cubes" specifically hints at the cube shape of ice, making "ICE" the straightforward and correct answer.
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The answer "LEADIN" refers to a TV show that airs right before another, effectively "leading in" to the next program. It's often used to describe how one show helps attract viewers to the subsequent show, making it a fitting term for this clue.
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The answer "EMBER" fits because it directly describes a glowing fragment left from a fire's flames. The word encapsulates the "smoldering" aspect and implies the residual heat and glow after the main blaze has subsided, perfectly matching the definition provided in the clue.
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The clue "I'll take that as ___" is a conversational phrase likely completed with "ANO," representing "a no" (negative response). It's a spoken contraction that completes the sentence naturally, fitting the colloquial tone of the clue.
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The answer "LILT" refers to a light, rhythmic cadence or inflection in speech. It describes a pleasant, melodic quality often associated with patterns of rising and falling tones, matching the clue's focus on rhythm in spoken language. It's a succinct term fitting the definition perfectly.
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"PHAT" is 1990s slang meaning "cool" or "awesome." It’s often described as an acronym for "Pretty Hot And Tempting," though its origins aren’t definitive. Popular in hip-hop culture, it was widely used to describe something stylish, excellent, or desirable during that decade.
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The word "FROM" is preprinted on many gift tags to designate who the giver of the gift is. It is a standard part of the message format, typically appearing alongside "TO" for the recipient's name, making it a fitting and common answer for this clue.
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The phrase "TUNE out" means to completely ignore or block out something, often mentally or emotionally disengaging. This perfectly matches the clue "Totally ignore, with 'out'," making TUNE the correct answer.
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The answer "EWE" fits because it refers to a female sheep, a common farm animal known for its wool. The word "woolly" in the clue hints directly at sheep, which are raised specifically for their wool. "EWE" is a straightforward term for a sheep.
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The answer "AGED" works because aging naturally leads to wear and tear over time, whether it's for objects, materials, or even people. The phrase "in a way" indicates a figurative interpretation, connecting the visible effects of age to signs of wear and tear.
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The answer is DEPP because Johnny Depp played the lead role of Edward Scissorhands in the 1990 Tim Burton film "Edward Scissorhands." The clue explicitly refers to the actor's first name, making DEPP the logical surname to complete the answer.
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The answer is ERIE because Lake Erie directly borders the city of Buffalo, New York. Buffalo is located on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, making it one of the Great Lakes that geographically connects to the city. This clue refers to the well-known lake near Buffalo.
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The phrase "___ condition" commonly refers to describing something in perfect or like-new quality. "Mint condition" is a widely used term to express this. "Mint" here refers to the pristine state, as in something fresh from the mint, like coins freshly struck.
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The answer is ONE because "One" is a well-known song by Three Dog Night, featuring the lyric "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do." The clue directly references the song's famous line, making ONE the fitting solution.
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The clue refers to a Spanish football powerhouse, specifically a nickname used by fans. "Barça" is the affectionate name for FC Barcelona, one of Spain's top football clubs. The term is derived from the Catalan pronunciation of "Barcelona" and reflects the team's immense popularity and dominance in football.
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The clue "Please comfort me" is enclosed in quotes, signaling a spoken phrase. "I NEED A HUG" directly expresses a request for comfort, fitting both the tone and the context of the clue. It’s a heartfelt, straightforward plea for emotional support, aligning perfectly as the solution.
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The phrase "Gobbled up" means consumed or devoured, typically referring to food. "ATE" directly matches this definition, as it is the past tense of "eat," which means to consume or devour. The clue is straightforward, with no wordplay or hidden meanings.
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The clue "Member of the fam" refers to a casual or familial abbreviation for a family member. "Fam" is slang for "family," and "SIS" is a common short form for "sister," a family member. The casual tone of the clue matches the informal abbreviation of the answer.
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In an arena, seating is often arranged in tiers—levels or rows of seats stacked to provide a clear view for spectators. The word "tier" refers to these sections, making it a fitting answer for this clue in the Arena section.
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The clue "I can take it from here" is in quotes, signaling dialogue or a spoken phrase. "LET ME" is a common phrase someone might say when offering to take over or handle something, fitting the conversational tone of the clue perfectly.
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The clue "Absurd" and its answer "INANE" are connected as both suggest something lacking sense or meaning. "Absurd" implies ridiculous or silly, and "INANE" describes something empty, foolish, or nonsensical, making it a fitting synonym and solution to the clue.
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The clue "Read you loud and clear" is in quotes, signaling a spoken or understood response. "NOTED" is a fitting answer as it indicates acknowledgment or understanding of what's been said, much like confirming "I hear you" or "Understood" in conversation.
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The answer is ELF because "Elf on the Shelf" is a popular rhyming Christmas tradition where a toy elf is placed around the house during the holiday season to "watch" children's behavior. The rhyme in the clue directly points to this well-known seasonal custom.
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The clue "Bog down" refers to becoming stuck or entangled, often figuratively or literally. "MIRE" is a perfect fit as it means a swampy or muddy ground where one can get stuck, aligning with the imagery and definition of "bog down."
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The word "BLOW" is used metaphorically to describe losing or squandering something significant, such as a "big lead" in a competition or game. It reflects the idea of carelessly letting an advantage slip away, effectively "blowing" the opportunity to secure success.
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The answer is PTA, which stands for Parent-Teacher Association. This organization is commonly involved in school-related activities, including fundraising efforts like bake sales. The clue specifies an “Org.” (organization), making PTA a fitting solution as it aligns with their typical role in schools.
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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 3-letter answer to the "I'll take that as ___" 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.
"I'll take that as ___" Answer Explained
The answer is ANO.
The quotation marks are the key to this clue because they tell us we're looking for something someone would actually say. If someone makes a vague comment, gives a hint, or doesn't answer directly, you might respond, "I'll take that as a no." In conversation, that often gets shortened to "I'll take that as no," making A NO the entry. Splitting it into two words also explains why the answer is ANO rather than simply NO. It's a nice example of a crossword using spoken English as the clue, where you're completing a familiar phrase instead of defining a standalone word. Once you hear the sentence in your head, the answer becomes very natural.
Now that you've cracked the 21A "I'll take that as ___" 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
Ian Livengood's Sunday Midi, Media Moguls, was a smooth solve with a satisfying reveal. I didn't notice the gimmick until the grid was nearly complete, when the circled letters finally lined up to spell PRINT, RADIO, and FILM snaking across the grid instead of sitting neatly in one row. It was a clever touch that fit the title perfectly. The puzzle itself leaned easy, though ERIN (speed skater Erin Jackson) slowed me down since I didn't know that bit of Olympic trivia. BARCA also took a moment to piece together from the crossings. I especially liked the clue for ANO ("I'll take that as ___"), which felt fresh and conversational. A fun, approachable Sunday puzzle with a neat visual payoff once the theme came into focus.
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.