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Homestretch of a project ... or a homophonic hint to the ends of 13- and 15-Across, collectively? - NYT The Midi Clue
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The clue refers to the actor Alec Baldwin, who famously played Jack Donaghy on the TV show "30 Rock." The use of "Baldwin" and the context of the show directly point to ALEC as the correct answer.
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The clue "They/___ pronouns" directly refers to pronouns used for gender-neutral or non-binary individuals. "They" and "them" are commonly paired together as singular or plural third-person pronouns. Thus, the blank is logically filled by "them," making the correct answer THEM.
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LAVA is the correct answer because magma is the term for molten rock beneath the Earth's surface. Once it erupts from a volcano and reaches the surface, it is called lava. This transformation distinguishes the terms, making "lava" the solution here.
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The answer is SHEER because "sheer" describes fabric that is very thin, delicate, and transparent, allowing light to pass through. This fits the definition of "see-through" as stated in the clue, making it the appropriate solution.
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The solution "AMEN" fits the clue "Sign-off at the end of a prayer" because "Amen" is universally used as a concluding word in prayers to signify agreement, affirmation, or a closing. It serves as a traditional "sign-off" in religious and spiritual contexts, aligning perfectly with the clue.
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The clue "Snorts like a pig" describes the characteristic sound that pigs make. Pigs are known for their distinctive "oink" sound, often combined with snorting. "OINKS," being the plural, represents repeated pig-like snorts, perfectly aligning with the clue's description.
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The clue specifies a U.S. state capital and includes "in Spanish," pointing to a Spanish-derived name. "Santa Fe," the capital of New Mexico, translates to "holy faith" in Spanish ("Santa" means "holy" and "Fe" means "faith"). Thus, the correct answer is SANTAFE.
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The answer "TINAFEY" fits because Tina Fey is a comedian and actress known for her work on "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock." She authored the 2011 bestselling memoir Bossypants, detailing her life and career in comedy. This clue directly points to her full name.
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The answer is DENT because a dent is a common blemish on a car's surface. A toilet plunger can sometimes be used to pull out small dents, utilizing suction to restore the surface.
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The word "VEX" means to annoy, frustrate, or provoke someone, aligning perfectly with the clue "Irk," which also means to irritate or bother. Both share a similar definition, making "VEX" the correct and concise solution to the clue.
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FINAL PHASE is the final stage of a project. Spoken aloud, it sounds like "final FEs," pointing to the matching endings of SANTA FE and TINA FEY. A fitting reveal on the day of the FIFA World Cup final in the U.S., with Spain and Argentina taking center stage.
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The clue references the card game UNO, where a player must shout "UNO!" when they have just one card left in hand (after playing the second-to-last card). The quotation marks indicate it's a verbal action, and the phrasing cleverly relates to the game's rules.
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The clue "Wears away" suggests a gradual process of degradation or removal. "ERODES" fits perfectly as it describes the slow wearing away of something, typically through natural forces like wind, water, or friction. It directly aligns with the clue's meaning without wordplay or alternate interpretations.
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The clue "Neither here ___ there" follows the familiar phrase "neither here nor there," meaning something irrelevant or unimportant. "Nor" is a conjunction used in negative pairings, perfectly completing the expression in the clue. Hence, "NOR" is the answer.
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ROPES completes the phrase "know the ropes," meaning to understand how something works. Since 22-Down is PRO, the clue describes an expert who's familiar with the ins and outs. Like the puzzle's theme, success comes from recognizing subtle connections.
Down
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The clue "'Tis a real letdown ..." suggests an expression of disappointment. The answer, ALAS, is an archaic interjection used to convey sorrow, regret, or dismay, matching the tone and context of the clue. Its use of "'Tis" aligns with the old-fashioned phrasing.
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The clue "Dalai ___" refers to the title given to the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The full term is "Dalai Lama." "Lama" is a Tibetan term meaning "master" or "teacher." The clue directly points to completing the well-known title of the Dalai Lama.
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The answer "EVENTENOR" refers to "even tenor," a phrase describing a consistent and calm disposition or balance in personality. "Even" suggests steadiness, and "tenor" conveys a sustained tone or manner, together encapsulating steadiness of personality. The clue hints at this figurative expression.
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The clue "Mexican saloon" hints at a type of establishment associated with Mexico. The word "cantina" is a Spanish term commonly used to describe a bar or saloon, especially in Mexican culture, where people gather to drink and socialize. Hence, the answer is CANTINA.
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The clue "Robber" is a straightforward definition clue. A "thief" is a person who steals or commits theft, which directly aligns with the meaning of "robber." Both words describe someone who illegally takes what does not belong to them. Hence, THIEF is the correct answer.
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The clue "Farm incubator" refers to something on a farm that naturally incubates eggs. A hen, a female chicken, is known for sitting on and warming her eggs until they hatch, making "HEN" the perfect fit for the clue.
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The clue "Startled cry" is in quotes, indicating the answer is a spoken exclamation. "EEK" is a common and simple verbal reaction to being startled, such as by something sudden or frightening, making it a fitting solution to the clue.
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The answer "MRS" refers to the title "Mrs. Doubtfire," a well-known character from the 1993 comedy film Mrs. Doubtfire, starring Robin Williams. The blank in the clue indicates the missing title before "Doubtfire," which is "Mrs."
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The answer is SOFA because it is a type of furniture, and the word "SOFA" is cleverly "found" within the phrase "workS OF Art" (hidden in plain sight). This is a wordplay clue, where the answer is literally embedded in the phrasing.
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The clue "Weapon for an elk" uses wordplay, as elk do not wield traditional weapons. Instead, their natural "weapon" is their antlers, which are used for defense and combat during mating season. Hence, the answer is ANTLER.
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The clue "Slip past" suggests avoiding, dodging, or escaping something. EVADE perfectly matches this definition as it means to elude or avoid, often by cleverness or stealth. This concise, direct verb captures the action of slipping past something or someone.
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The clue "Affirmative responses" refers to ways of expressing agreement or affirming something. "YESES" is the plural form of "yes," which is a straightforward affirmative response. Thus, the solution directly aligns with the definition provided in the clue.
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The clue "T. rex, for one" refers to what type of creature a T. rex is. T. rex, short for Tyrannosaurus rex, is a famous example of a dinosaur. "DINO" is a shortened form of "dinosaur," perfectly fitting the clue.
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In bowling, a "strike" is represented by an "X" on the score sheet. "Marks at the alley" refers to the scoring marks made when someone bowls a strike. The plural "XES" fits as it represents multiple strike marks. The phrasing also involves a playful pun.
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The clue "How delightful!" is enclosed in quotes, indicating a conversational or exclamatory response. The term "FUN" perfectly captures the essence of something delightful, enjoyable, or entertaining, aligning with the emotional tone of the phrase. Thus, "FUN" is the concise and fitting solution.
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The clue "Expert" directly defines PRO, as the term "pro" is short for "professional," which typically refers to someone highly skilled or experienced in a particular field—essentially, an expert.
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The answer "HOP" fits "Bounce" because both describe a small, quick, spring-like motion. A hop is a brief lift or leap, which aligns with the action of bouncing, as seen in movements like jumping lightly on one foot or objects lightly rebounding off a surface.
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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 10-letter answer to the Homestretch of a project ... or a homophonic hint to the ends of 13- and 15-Across, collectively? 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.
Homestretch of a project ... or a homophonic hint to the ends of 13- and 15-Across, collectively? Answer Explained
The answer is FINALPHASE.
FINAL PHASE serves as both a common expression and the puzzle's clever revealer. Literally, it's the homestretch of any project, but spoken aloud it becomes "final FEs," directing you to the shared ending sound in SANTA FE and TINA FEY. Although one ends in FE and the other in FEY, both finish with the same "fay" pronunciation, making the homophone work perfectly. It's a clean, elegant sound-based gimmick that clicks as soon as you say the phrase aloud. The reveal feels especially timely today, with the FIFA World Cup final in the U.S. featuring two Spanish-speaking nations, Spain and Argentina, echoing the puzzle's subtle Spanish flavor.
Now that you've cracked the 21A Homestretch of a project ... or a homophonic hint to the ends of 13- and 15-Across, collectively? 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
As a soccer fan, this theme landed especially well today. With the FIFA World Cup final featuring Spain and Argentina—two Spanish-speaking nations—it felt fitting to see SANTA FE and TINA FEY sharing the grid. At first, they just looked like ordinary answers, but the revealer FINAL PHASE makes the trick click: say it aloud and it hints at the matching "final FEs" at the ends of both entries. It's a simple, satisfying sound-based gimmick that's easy to appreciate once you spot it. The Spanish phrase Santa Fe, meaning "holy faith," also feels like a subtle nod to today's all-Spanish-speaking showdown, making the puzzle unexpectedly timely. I enjoyed how the theme didn't overcomplicate things—the reveal came naturally in the closing stretch, much like a tense soccer match where everything suddenly falls into place in the final minutes. Clever, elegant, and perfectly matched to today's biggest sporting event.
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.