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Legendary British director of the 1959 film hinted at by the circled letters - NYT The Midi Clue
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Lust and envy are two of the "Seven Deadly Sins" in Christian theology, moral transgressions that are condemned. Since the clue highlights "for two," it specifically references these two of the seven, making "SINS" the correct answer.
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The answer is SCAR, the villain from Disney's The Lion King. Scar, Simba's uncle, was next in line to the throne until Simba ("the little hairball") was born. His jealousy over losing his rightful claim to the throne drives his villainous actions in the movie.
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The answer is NOEL because Noel Gallagher is the lead guitarist and songwriter for the British rock band Oasis. This clue directly references him by name, as he is a prominent figure in music associated with the band.
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The clue "This can't be good!" is in quotes, signaling a spoken reaction. "OHNO" is a common exclamation expressing alarm or dread, perfectly matching the sentiment of something bad happening. Its direct, emotional tone aligns with the clue's context.
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The phrase "Just a stone's throw __" is a common idiom meaning "a short distance." The word that naturally completes the phrase is "AWAY," as "a stone's throw away" describes something nearby or easily reachable. Hence, "AWAY" is the correct solution.
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The solution "NETS" fits because nets are a common tool used in fishing to catch fish. The clue "Some fishing gear" refers to equipment used for fishing, and nets are a straightforward example of such gear, making it the perfect answer for this clue.
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The answer "PARED" works because it means to trim or peel away the outer layer of something, typically with a knife. This directly aligns with the clue "Removed the skin of, as a fruit," describing the act of peeling fruits like apples or pears.
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The clue "Miniature" refers to something very small. "WEE" is a synonym for small, tiny, or little, and is often used in this context to describe something miniature in size. The simplicity of the clue matches the simplicity of the answer.
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The answer "FRAME" fits because a picture is often displayed within a physical frame, which surrounds and supports the image. This clue is straightforward, referencing the literal item used to showcase and protect pictures while enhancing their presentation.
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CPA is the solution because it stands for Certified Public Accountant, a professional specially trained and licensed to handle tax-related matters and financial filings. The clue specifies "for short," indicating the answer is an abbreviation, fitting CPA perfectly.
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The answer is SADE because she is a renowned Nigerian-born British singer known for her smooth jazz and soul sound. SADE Adu, her full name, achieved international fame with her 1985 hit "Smooth Operator." Being a one-named artist aligns perfectly with the clue's description.
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The revealer points to Alfred HITCHCOCK, the legendary British filmmaker behind the 1959 thriller North by Northwest. The circled letters spell compass directions—N, NW, and NW—which hint at the movie's title and lead neatly to its famous director.
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The clue "What a shame" is in quotation marks, signaling a verbal expression. "Alas" is a word used to express sorrow, pity, or regret — essentially lamenting a shameful or unfortunate situation. It fittingly matches the sentiment and tone of the clue, making it the correct answer.
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Cologne is in Germany, a country that uses the Euro as its currency. Copenhagen, however, is in Denmark, which does not use the Euro but instead uses the Danish Krone. Thus, Euro fits as the currency for Cologne but not Copenhagen.
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The clue "Ham operator?" features a pun indicated by the question mark. A "ham" could refer to deli meat, and a "ham operator" could humorously refer to someone who runs or operates a deli, where ham and other meats are sold. Thus, the answer is DELI.
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In this clue, "Good-looking fella" refers to an attractive or desirable man, often described informally as a "stud." The term "stud" is widely used to denote a confident, handsome, and appealing male, making it a fitting answer for this straightforward descriptor.
Down
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The answer "SNAP" completes the well-known advertising catchphrase for Rice Krispies cereal: "Snap, Crackle, Pop." These are the names of the cereal's mascots, each representing the sounds made by the cereal when milk is added. Hence, the clue fits the sequence perfectly.
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The answer is IOWA because it is the U.S. state known for having 99 counties, and Mitchell County is one of them. This clue directly references a unique fact about Iowa's administrative divisions, confirming it as the solution.
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The clue "Dire, as injuries" describes something extremely serious but not necessarily resulting in death. The answer, NEARFATAL, matches this description perfectly, as it refers to injuries that are life-threatening but stop short of being fatal. The word "Dire" emphasizes the severity, making NEARFATAL fitting.
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The clue "More crafty" suggests a comparative form of the adjective "crafty," meaning clever or cunning. "Slyer" is the comparative form of "sly," which is synonymous with "crafty," fitting both meaning and grammatical structure.
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The clue hints at a familial or generational title ("Jr.") often used to denote a son named after their father. "Child" paired with "Jr." suggests the answer is SON, as "Jr." commonly refers to the male offspring carrying on the parent's name.
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The phrase "CHEWED OUT" is a common idiom meaning to berate or scold someone harshly, fitting the clue "Berated." This matches the clue word-for-word, as being "chewed out" implies receiving a sharp reprimand. The past tense also aligns with the clue's context.
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In poker, the "buy-in at the start of a poker hand" refers to the initial mandatory bet every player contributes before cards are dealt. This is called the "ANTE." It's a common term in card games representing the contribution to the pot.
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The phrase "rose-colored glasses" refers to an overly optimistic or idealized perspective. The blank in "___-colored glasses" is filled with "ROSE" to complete this common idiom, which suggests seeing things in a positive or unrealistic light.
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The clue "Sprinkle, as of seasoning" refers to a small, quick application of something, specifically seasoning in this context. "Dash" is commonly used to describe a tiny amount of seasoning added, aligning perfectly with the idea of a light sprinkle.
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The answer "MACES" fits the clue because maces are spiked or flanged clubs historically used as weapons in medieval times. These were commonly wielded by knights and soldiers for close combat, designed to inflict heavy damage even against armored opponents. Their spiked design matches "spiked clubs" in the clue.
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CHAD is the correct answer because it is an African country located to the northeast (NE) of Cameroon geographically. Cameroon borders Chad to the southwest, making this clue a straightforward reference to their positional relationship on the map.
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The clue "Heap" directly corresponds to the synonym "PILE," as both words describe a large amount or collection of items stacked or accumulated together. In this context, the two words are interchangeable, making PILE the correct answer.
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ECRU is the solution because it refers to a pale, light brown or beige color, and its name originates from the French word "écru," meaning "raw" or "unbleached." The clue points to both the color and its French etymology, directly aligning with ECRU.
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The answer "CSI" refers to CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a popular CBS show that debuted in 2000. It revolutionized crime dramas by focusing on forensic science techniques to solve cases, helping to popularize the field. CSI stands for "Crime Scene Investigation," aligning perfectly with the clue.
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"KOD" is short for "knocked out," a common term in boxing. Being "defeated in a boxing match" often refers to a knockout, where a fighter is unable to continue. The abbreviation "KOD" fits both the clue's brevity and context, aligning with boxing terminology.
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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 9-letter answer to the Legendary British director of the 1959 film hinted at by the 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.
Legendary British director of the 1959 film hinted at by the circled letters Answer Explained
The answer is HITCHCOCK.
The clue references Alfred HITCHCOCK, one of cinema's most influential directors and the mastermind behind the 1959 classic North by Northwest. Rather than naming the film directly, the puzzle hides a visual hint in the circled letters: N, NW, and NW, all compass directions that evoke the movie's title. Once you notice that pattern, the connection clicks, and HITCHCOCK becomes the perfect revealer. It's an elegant theme because the gimmick relies on observation rather than wordplay, rewarding solvers who spot the directional abbreviations. Even if you've never seen North by Northwest, the film's title is iconic enough to make the reveal feel satisfying.
Now that you've cracked the 22A Legendary British director of the 1959 film hinted at by the 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
I had a fun time with this one because it felt like a straightforward solve at first, then quietly revealed an extra layer. The fill moved quickly thanks to accessible clues like SADE, EURO, and SNAP, while SCAR and NOEL were satisfying pop culture entries. I hesitated for a moment on PARED and ECRU, but the crossings sorted them out. The real payoff came when I noticed the circled compass directions and realized they were pointing to North by Northwest. That made HITCHCOCK an especially satisfying revealer, tying the theme together in a clever but understated way. I liked that the puzzle didn't overcomplicate the gimmick, it rewarded paying attention without getting in the way of the solve. A smooth, elegant Midi with a nice cinematic finish.
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.