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Teeny-tiny bit - NYT The Mini Clue
Across
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The answer "IDES" refers to the middle of the month in the Roman calendar, specifically March 15. This date is famously associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 B.C., as warned by a soothsayer in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar with the line, "Beware the Ides of March."
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The answer "TEXTS" fits the clue "Sends a message" because texting is a common way to send written messages electronically via a phone or other device. This straightforward clue directly refers to the action of sending messages through text.
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The answer "ALGAE" fits because algae are simple aquatic plants often found floating in ponds. They can form green, slimy layers on water surfaces, commonly referred to as "pond scum." The clue directly describes their appearance and natural habitat.
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The answer "IOTA" fits the clue "Teeny-tiny bit" because "iota" refers to an extremely small amount. It comes from the Greek alphabet, where iota is the smallest letter, frequently used metaphorically to mean a minuscule quantity or degree. Hence, it aligns perfectly with the clue's meaning.
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The clue uses wordplay with "dogtor," humorously combining "doctor" and "dog." A veterinarian (VET) is a doctor for animals, including dogs, making "dogtor" an apt and playful description. The question mark signals the pun, leading to VET as the solution.
Down
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The clue "Don't call ___ comeback!" is a playful reference to the phrase “Don’t call it a comeback,” famously used by rapper LL Cool J in his song “Mama Said Knock You Out.” The blank fits "ITA" to complete the phrase: "Don't call it a comeback!"
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The answer "DELI" refers to a section of a supermarket where prepared foods, sandwiches, meats, and cheeses are sold. It fits the straightforward clue "Supermarket section" because the deli is a common and distinct area in most grocery stores.
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The clue refers to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chris Christie having both served as governors in the past. The prefix "Ex-" means "former," and "Gov" is a common shorthand for "Governor." Together, "EXGOV" aptly describes a "former governor," matching both individuals and the clue's phrasing.
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The clue plays on the phrase "if you change the T's." By replacing second T in TEXTS you get TEXAS. By replacing T in IOTA you get IOWA, each of these is a STATE.
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The game of musical chairs involves players circling a set of chairs as music plays. When the music stops, players rush to find a seat to avoid elimination. Therefore, a "SEAT" is the essential "need" for the game to continue, making it the correct answer.
Today’s Game Difficulty
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Solving today’s NYT Mini Puzzle and stuck on the 4-letter answer to the Teeny-tiny bit clue? Don’t worry—Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you want the answer right away, revealed letter by letter, or this wordplay seems too puzzling, keep reading for the explanation.
Teeny-tiny bit Answer Explained
The answer is IOTA.
“IOTA” is one of those words that pops up often in crosswords. It means a very small amount, often used in phrases like “not one iota of truth.” The clue “teeny-tiny bit” could also make you think of “bit” or “dot,” but IOTA is both figurative and precise and it fits the grid size. It's also a Greek letter, which makes it extra crossword-friendly.
Now that you've cracked the 8A Teeny-tiny bit clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s Mini Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry—we've got you covered. Explore more NYT Mini crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the NYT Crossword, Connections, or Strands.
Today’s NYT Mini Highlights
This Friday Mini by Joel Fagliano is tight and clean, with clues touching on Roman history, texting habits, music games, and political titles. There’s a clever meta-style clue that references other entries in the grid, which adds a twist. A mix of pop culture, wordplay, and general knowledge makes this one satisfying without being too tricky.
Here’s what caught our attention today:
- "Beware the ___ of March"
- Sends a message
- Pond scum
- Doctor who might more aptly be called a "dogtor"
- "Don't call ___ comeback!"
- Supermarket section
- Arnold Schwarzenegger or Chris Christie, e.g., for short
- 5-Across or 8-Across, if you change the T's in this answer
- Musical chairs need
About NYT The Mini
NYT The Mini Crossword is a compact version of the New York Times Crossword puzzle. Usually 5 x 5, with larger grids on Saturdays, it offers mid-week equivalent difficulty clues with no progression over the week. It is accessible to anyone with or without a New York Times account. You can play it on nytimes.com/crosswords, The New York Times Games app (iOS and Android), and the Play tab of the New York Times News app. Games and All Access Subscribers can solve past Mini Crossword puzzles in the archive.
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.
How to Play - Features and Tips
Fill white squares with letters to form intersecting words or phrases by solving clues in Across and Down columns. Read our guide to NYT Mini Mastery to learn how to read the different types of clues. Successfully completed puzzle triggers music and a congratulatory message.
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- Arrow keys: Change direction within the same square, move in the direction of the arrow, jump back to the first blank in the word, or jump to the next clue.
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Blue: Confirmed letters with Check.
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Time your solving with the timer displayed above the puzzle. Pause/resume using the respective buttons. The timer restarts if the entire puzzle is cleared. Option to hide the timer in Puzzle settings.
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The answers you get using help are marked with a red triangle in the upper right-hand corner of the box while those confirmed with check become blue.
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