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Cutting down - NYT The Mini Clue
Across
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The answer is JAVA because "java" is a common informal term for coffee. Additionally, Java is a large island in Indonesia, one of the world's major coffee producers, making it a fitting double-meaning in the clue.
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The answer "AXEL" refers to a type of jump in figure skating. It is named after Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen, who invented it. The Axel is known for its forward takeoff, making it distinct from other jumps that start on a backward edge.
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The answer "MIXES" fits because it refers to varied collections of songs blended together, creating wide-ranging playlists. These mixes can span multiple genres, styles, or eras, aligning perfectly with the clue’s description of "wide-ranging music playlists." The plural form matches the clue's context as well.
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In baseball, "on deck" refers to the player who is up next to bat. Similarly, in general usage, "on deck" means being next in line or ready. Thus, the answer "NEXT" fits perfectly as it captures the meaning of being next in sequence.
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The clue "Down Under welcome" refers to how Australians informally greet someone. "Down Under" is a common nickname for Australia, and "G'DAY" is short for "Good Day," a quintessential Australian greeting. The casual tone matches the clue's informal style, making GDAY the correct answer.
Down
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The clue "Print issue?" with a question mark signals wordplay. "Print" can refer to a newspaper or magazine edition, which can experience delays or a traffic JAM in production or distribution. Thus, "JAM" cleverly fits as a pun for an issue or blockage in printing or distribution.
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The clue "Cutting down" refers to reducing or eliminating something. "Axing" is a direct synonym for cutting, as an axe is used to cut down trees. Figuratively, "axing" also means ending or eliminating something, such as a project or budget, making it a perfect fit.
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The answer "VEXED" fits because it means to feel annoyed, frustrated, or irritated. It directly matches the clue "Annoyed," as both express a sense of agitation or displeasure. It's a succinct term that aligns with the emotional state described in the clue.
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ALEXA is the virtual assistant developed by Amazon, and both its name and the company's name start with the letter "A." This aligns with the clue's requirement for a virtual assistant whose name shares the first letter with its parent company's name.
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In "Charlotte's Web," Wilbur is a pig who resides in a pigsty, often referred to as a "sty" for short. The clue directly references Wilbur's living environment, making STY the correct answer.
Today’s Game Difficulty
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Solving today’s NYT Mini Puzzle and stuck on the 5-letter answer to the Cutting down 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.
Cutting down Answer Explained
The answer is AXING.
“Cutting down” could mean trimming or reducing something, maybe even insultingly putting someone down. But when I think of a more physical or visual interpretation, chopping down a tree, for example, then AXING fits perfectly. It's the verb form of using an ax, which ties directly to “cutting.” In a more metaphorical context, AXING also works when people get cut from a team or show, so it's a nice double meaning. If I’d guessed “pruning” or “trimming,” they wouldn’t have fit, but AXING covers both literal and figurative ground.
Now that you've cracked the 2D Cutting down 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
A crisp and clean Monday Mini from Ian Livengood, exactly what you'd expect to start the week. The grid covers a fun range of topics, from coffee and tech to skating and classic children’s lit. There's a bit of wordplay tucked in too, just enough to keep things interesting without slowing you down. A solid mix of general knowledge and playful cluing makes this a breezy solve.
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.
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.
Keyboard Shortcuts
- 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.
- Spacebar: Clear the current square, advance, or toggle between Across and Down.
- Backspace (Delete on Macs): Remove words or a letter from a word.
- Tab key: Jump to the next clue.
- Shift + Tab keys: Jump to the previous clue.
- Escape: Enter Rebus mode.
- Pen and Pencil Modes. Switch between pen and pencil modes by selecting the respective icon. Letters in pen mode are black; in pencil mode, gray.
Letter Colors
Black: Default pen mode entries.
Gray: Pencil mode entries.
Blue: Confirmed letters with Check.
Mini Timer
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.
In-game Help
- Reveal: Unveil correct letters for a square, answer, or the entire puzzle.
- Check: Verify correctness.
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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