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Up the ___ (plentifully) - NYT The Mini Clue

Across

  • The clue “Endangers” directly implies putting something or someone in harm’s way or jeopardy. The word "RISKS" aligns as it means exposing someone or something to potential danger or harm, making it a synonym and the appropriate solution for the clue.

  • The answer is ONION because the "Bloomin' Onion" is a signature menu item at Outback Steakhouse. It is a large onion that is cut, battered, fried, and served with a dipping sauce. The clue’s pun, "Bloomin'," directly refers to this popular dish.

  • "Up the ___ (plentifully)" is a lighthearted clue pointing to excess. WAZOO is slang often used in the phrase “up the wazoo,” meaning “in large amounts.” It’s a silly, exaggerated way to say there’s a lot of something, perfect for this playful clue.

  • The clue "Lived (in)" refers to residing or having a place of dwelling in the past. DWELT is the archaic past tense of "dwell," which means to live or reside in a place. The parentheses imply a slight rephrasing, making this a perfect fit.

  • The clue "You wanted to see me because ...?" mimics a conversational context. The answer, "YES," fits as a spoken response, implying agreement or confirmation of the meeting's purpose. The question mark signals wordplay, highlighting the interactive, verbal nature of the answer.

Down

  • The clue "Rambunctious" describes someone who is noisy, enthusiastic, or unruly—traits that align with the word "ROWDY." Both refer to boisterous, disorderly behavior, making ROWDY the apt synonym and solution.

  • The phrase "Totally blown away" describes being deeply impressed or overwhelmed with wonder, which aligns with the state of being "INAWE." The term "awe" captures strong admiration or amazement, making INAWE the fitting solution for this clue.

  • The clue "S, M and L" refers to small, medium, and large, which are common sizes for clothing or other items. The letters represent standard abbreviations for these sizes, making "SIZES" the fitting answer. It's a straightforward interpretation of the abbreviations.

  • The answer is KOOL because the clue refers to the Kool-Aid Man, the well-known mascot for Kool-Aid beverages. He famously bursts through walls while shouting "Oh, yeah!" in commercials, making "KOOL" the perfect fit to complete "___-Aid Man."

  • The clue "Pesky little twerp" is a playful, slightly informal way to describe an annoying or bratty person, often a child or someone acting immature. "SNOT" works here as slang for such an individual, referencing their irritating, cheeky, or misbehaving nature. It fits the tone perfectly!

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Solving today’s NYT Mini Puzzle and stuck on the 5-letter answer to the Up the ___ (plentifully) 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.

Up the ___ (plentifully) Answer Explained

The answer is WAZOO.

The phrase “up the blank” is a humorous idiom meaning “in abundance” or “to an excessive degree.” “Up the WAZOO” is informal slang; if you have something “up the wazoo,” you’ve got way too much of it. The clue’s use of “plentifully” is your big hint here. You might consider more literal answers at first like “nose” or “stack,” but those don’t fit the playful tone. WAZOO is a word that pops up in casual conversation and cartoons, and solvers familiar with the phrase will click into this quickly. It’s a laugh-out-loud kind of entry.

Now that you've cracked the 7A Up the ___ (plentifully) 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

Today’s Monday Mini by Ian Livengood is a smooth and timely solve, perfect for Memorial Day. You’ll spot nods to national themes, cookout classics, and maybe even a hint of summer fun. A few playful word choices keep things light, while the grid stays accessible. A classic Monday warm-up with just the right touch of spirit 🇺🇸.

Here’s what caught our attention today:

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.

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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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