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Cunningly sidestep, as a difficult question - NYT The Mini Clue
Across
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LAMB is the solution because shawarma, a popular Middle Eastern dish, traditionally uses spiced and marinated meats, with lamb being one of the most common and traditional choices due to its flavor and availability in the region. It's often grilled or roasted on a vertical spit.
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The clue “Brainstorm outputs” refers to the results or products of a brainstorming session. During brainstorming, people generate creative thoughts or solutions, which are commonly called “ideas.” Thus, the plural “IDEAS” perfectly aligns with the clue's wording as its logical answer.
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The clue "Cunningly sidestep, as a difficult question" suggests avoiding or evading something tricky. To "dodge" means to skillfully avoid or sidestep, perfectly aligning with the idea of evading a challenging question. The word "cunningly" emphasizes the clever, evasive nature of this action, matching the definition of DODGE.
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The clue "Marketing pitch" refers to a persuasive or promotional speech designed to sell something. "SPIEL" is a synonym for such a speech, often implying a practiced or enthusiastic delivery, making it the perfect fit for this clue.
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At Starbucks, the term "Tall" represents their smallest serving size of hot or cold beverages, which is 12 ounces. While "Tall" may imply a larger size, it’s part of Starbucks’ unique naming system, where sizes include Tall (12 oz), Grande (16 oz), and Venti (20 oz).
Down
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The clue "Pot heads?" with a question mark signals a pun or wordplay. Here, "heads" refers to the top part of a pot, which is its lid. Thus, LIDS cleverly fits as the answer, creatively interpreting "Pot heads" as the covers or tops of pots.
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The answer "ADOPT" fits because "bringing home from a shelter" often refers to adopting a pet, such as a dog or cat. The word "maybe" suggests a potential action, not a certainty, aligning with the process of choosing to adopt an animal from a shelter.
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The answer is MEDIA because "media darling" is a common phrase referring to someone who consistently receives positive or favorable attention from the press and news outlets. The blank before "darling" completes this well-known term.
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The answer is BAGEL because it’s a classic breakfast food often paired with cream cheese. The clue directly describes this popular combination, as bagels are commonly sliced and spread with cream cheese as a topping. No wordplay or misdirection here—it's a straightforward description of a familiar breakfast item.
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The clue involves wordplay linked to finance. In a bear market (a declining stock market), "bears" are pessimistic investors who expect prices to fall. As a strategy, they sell stocks to prevent losses or profit from the decline. Thus, the answer "SELL" fits both the pun and market context.
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Solving today’s NYT Mini Puzzle and stuck on the 5-letter answer to the Cunningly sidestep, as a difficult question 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.
Cunningly sidestep, as a difficult question Answer Explained
The answer is DODGE.
This clue is hinting at an evasive action; when someone “cunningly sidesteps” a tough question, they don’t answer it directly. I start thinking of verbs that mean avoiding without outright refusal. “Avoid” or “evade” might pop up first, but they don’t fit as precisely. DODGE is a compact, punchy word that captures the idea of cleverly steering away from something. It’s often used figuratively, like dodging a bullet or a reporter’s question. The word also implies intention; this isn't just forgetting to answer, it’s strategic avoidance.
Now that you've cracked the 7A Cunningly sidestep, as a difficult question 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 Tuesday Mini by Ian Livengood has a smooth and classic feel, with clue topics ranging from finance and food to clever wordplay. There’s a bit of business, a dash of breakfast, and even a pun to keep solvers on their toes. A well-balanced and lively grid that’s accessible but not without a few thoughtful twists.
Here’s what caught our attention today:
- Traditional meat for shawarma
- Marketing pitch
- 12-ounce size at Starbucks
- Pot heads?
- ___ darling (one getting favorable news coverage)
- Breakfast item with cream cheese
- What bears do in a bear market
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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