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Exactly right - NYT The Midi Clue
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The clue "Zip" has multiple potential meanings, but here it refers to "nothing" or "none," as in having zero quantity. In informal usage, "zip" is often synonymous with "zero," making ZERO the correct answer. It’s a straightforward play on the synonym.
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The answer "FLUME" fits perfectly because a flume is a man-made channel or water slide often used at water parks. "Floating logs" refers to the style of the ride, like log flume rides where participants sit in log-shaped boats traveling along a waterway.
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The clue "Preach!" in quotes indicates a spoken or exclamatory response, often tied to agreement or affirmation. "Amen" is commonly exclaimed in religious or enthusiastic contexts to express agreement, especially following a sermon or impassioned statement—essentially saying, "Preach it!"
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The answer "LEGOS" fits because LEGO bricks are a popular type of toy bricks, known for their interlocking design that allows for creative construction. The clue directly refers to these iconic building toys, making LEGOS the correct solution.
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The clue "What political science majors study: Abbr." asks for an abbreviation related to a primary focus of political science. "GOVT" is short for "government," a central subject in political science, encompassing institutions, policies, and political systems. The abbreviation matches the hint in the clue format.
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The clue "Not cool" uses "cool" as slang for trendy or fashionable. Its opposite, "not cool," would be "unfashionable" or "out of style." The concise term for this is "UNHIP," directly implying someone or something not trendy or stylish. Thus, it fits perfectly.
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The clue "Hold My ___" refers to the title of a 2022 Lady Gaga song, and the missing word is "HAND." In the context of the song and phrase, "Hold My Hand" is a common expression for offering support or comfort, aligning perfectly with the song's theme.
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NEW ENGLAND is the theme revealer, pointing to the six circled state abbreviations—VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, and RI. They're not just hidden in the grid but arranged in their actual geographic positions, turning the crossword itself into a miniature map of New England.
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The answer "OLINE" refers to the "offensive line" in football, a group of players crouching before the snap to block and protect the quarterback. The clue specifies "informally," so "OLINE" is a shortened, casual form of "offensive line," matching the clue's phrasing.
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The answer is POE because "The Raven" is one of the most famous poems written by Edgar Allan Poe, a renowned 19th-century American writer and poet known for his dark, gothic themes. The clue directly refers to the poet of this iconic work.
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The answer is VETO because a veto is the constitutional power of a president or governor to reject a bill passed by Congress or a legislature. It directly represents "rejecting" legislation, fitting the clue perfectly.
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KARMA is the concept in Buddhism where actions (cause) lead to consequences (effect), shaping one's present and future experiences. This principle reflects the moral law of cause and effect, central to Buddhist teachings. Hence, KARMA fits perfectly as the answer to this clue.
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The clue "Performs at a studio lot" refers to the work done by actors on a film or television studio lot. To "perform" is to act, which ties directly to "ACTS," describing what actors do during filming. It's a straightforward fit for this context.
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FRIAR is the answer because Friar Tuck is a well-known character from Robin Hood folklore. He is a merry and loyal friar who aids Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. His title "Friar" identifies his religious role, fitting the clue's blank “___ Tuck."
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The answer "STYE" fits the clue "Eye irritation" because a stye is a common, small, painful lump that forms on the eyelid, often caused by an infection in an oil gland. It directly causes eye discomfort and irritation, making it a fitting answer.
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The clue "They might keep you in bed" refers to illnesses that could make one feel unwell enough to stay in bed. "COLDS" are common viral infections causing fatigue and discomfort, often keeping people resting to recover. The plural "They" aligns with multiple occurrences of colds.
Down
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The phrase "Zig's opposite" refers to the sharp, angular movements commonly associated with "zigzag." When one "zigs," they make a sharp turn in one direction, and to "zag" is to turn sharply in the opposite direction, creating a zigzag pattern. Hence, the opposite of "zig" is "zag."
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The answer is EMO because this music subgenre evolved from the 1980s D.C. punk scene, blending punk's raw energy with deeply emotional, introspective lyrics. EMO, short for "emotive hardcore," was defined by bands like Rites of Spring and influenced a distinct stylistic evolution in music.
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The clue "Fire (up)" uses wordplay. To "rev" an engine means to fire it up or increase its energy, often used metaphorically for excitement or stimulation. "Rev" aligns with the clue's parenthetical "(up)" as it suggests intensifying or energizing something, making REV the perfect fit.
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The phrase "on the nose" is an idiomatic expression meaning something is Exactly right or precise. It aligns perfectly with the clue’s meaning, as it figuratively conveys being spot-on or hitting the mark with accuracy, which matches the definition given in the clue.
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The word "FLUNG" is the past tense of "fling," which means to throw something with force or energy. The clue "Tossed with force" directly describes this action, making FLUNG the perfect fit as it conveys both the act of tossing and applying force.
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The answer is LENDL because Ivan Lendl is a renowned tennis player who won eight Grand Slam singles titles between 1984 and 1990. This includes victories at the French Open, US Open, and Australian Open, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport's greats.
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The clue, "Well, this isn't great," is in quotation marks, indicating a spoken exclamation or reaction. "UGH" conveys frustration, displeasure, or disappointment, perfectly matching the sentiment of the statement. It reflects an exasperated response to something unpleasant or suboptimal.
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The clue "Excusez-___" is a French phrase meaning "Excuse me." The blank suggests the continuation of the phrase with the French word "MOI," meaning "me." Together, "Excusez-moi" translates to "Excuse me" in English, making MOI the correct answer.
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ESP stands for "extrasensory perception," which is the supposed ability to gain information through means beyond the known five senses, often associated with mind-reading or telepathy. The clue specifies "for short," indicating an abbreviation, making ESP the correct answer.
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The answer is ANE because "hex-" and "prop-" refer to prefixes in organic chemistry. Adding the suffix "-ane" forms names of alkanes: "hexane" (a 6-carbon alkane) and "propane" (a 3-carbon alkane). "-ane" denotes single-bonded hydrocarbons in the alkane family.
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The answer "NOVAS" refers to a type of star that suddenly increases in brightness due to a dramatic explosion, before gradually fading. The clue "Exploding stars" directly describes this astronomical event, making NOVAS the suitable solution.
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The clue "Vote into office" directly defines the answer "ELECT," as to "elect" means to choose someone for a position of authority through a voting process. It aligns perfectly with the literal meaning of the phrase provided in the clue.
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The clue "Quick with punny responses, say" uses "quick" to mean sharp or clever in humor. "Punny responses" suggest a play on words, which aligns with being "witty." The phrase "say" indicates the answer is descriptive, making WITTY the perfect fit for sharp humor and wordplay expertise.
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The phrase "April showers bring May flowers" is a common saying that refers to the rainy weather in April leading to blossoming flowers in May. The clue references this phrase directly, making the answer APRIL, the month associated with the rainy "showers."
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The answer "NOMAD" fits the clue "Wanderer" as it directly refers to someone who moves from place to place without a permanent home, matching the definition of a wanderer. This is straightforward and not reliant on wordplay or additional context.
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The clue "Sweeties" refers to affectionate terms for loved ones or endearments. "Dears" is a common term of affection, synonymous with "sweeties," making it the fitting solution for this clue. The lack of wordplay suggests a straightforward link between the clue and answer.
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The answer is "KFC" because the fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is famous for its secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices. To reference this, KFC's official account on X (formerly Twitter) cleverly follows only 11 accounts—5 Spice Girls and 6 people named "Herb," symbolizing their recipe's 11 ingredients.
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The answer "ARO" refers to "aromantic," a queer identity describing individuals who experience little to no romantic attraction. "In brief" signals the use of an abbreviation, and "certain queer identity" points directly to this spectrum within the LGBTQ+ community.
Today’s Game Difficulty
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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 9-letter answer to the Exactly right 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.
Exactly right Answer Explained
The answer is ONTHENOSE.
The phrase ON THE NOSE means exactly right or perfectly accurate, making it a natural fit for the clue. If someone says your prediction was "on the nose," they mean you got it exactly correct, with no room for improvement. The expression is common in conversation, reviews, and even sports commentary whenever something is spot-on. It can also describe an exact measurement or estimate. The clue is refreshingly direct, relying on the solver's familiarity with the idiom rather than any wordplay. Once a few crossing letters are in place, ON THE NOSE becomes an especially satisfying answer because it matches the clue so precisely.
Now that you've cracked the 4D Exactly right 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 Yankee Ingenuity delivers a delightfully visual Thursday theme. The revealer, NEW ENGLAND, points not just to the region but to the puzzle's clever construction: the six New England state abbreviations are hidden in circled letters and positioned geographically where those states belong on a map. VT appears to the left of NH, with ME farther east, while MA, RI, and CT line up beneath them in their proper relative locations. It's an elegant bit of grid architecture that rewards observant solvers with an "aha!" moment once the revealer falls into place. The surrounding fill stays smooth despite the spatial constraint, with fun entries like ON THE NOSE, FLUME, and KARMA helping the puzzle feel lively. A satisfying Thursday that combines visual design with classic crossword ingenuity.
Here’s what caught our attention today:
- Where the six states circled in this puzzle are located geographically (in their proper places!)
- Fast-food chain that follows exactly 11 accounts on X, as a nod to the 11 herbs and spices in its secret recipe
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.