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Stand-up comic's act - NYT The Mini Clue

Across

  • The answer "CLEAR" fits the clue "See-through" as it directly describes something transparent or easy to see through, like glass or water. In this context, "clear" serves as a synonym for transparent, making it a straightforward solution to the clue.

  • The clue "Anybody home?" includes a question mark, signaling wordplay. It mimics what someone might say when knocking or calling out to see if someone is present at home. "HELLO" is a natural spoken greeting used in this scenario, making it the fitting solution.

  • PEGASUS is the winged horse from Greek mythology, famously born from the blood of Medusa when Perseus beheaded her. Known for his ability to fly, Pegasus is a central figure in many myths, making him the perfect answer to this clue about a mythical "winged horse."

  • The answer is AXOLOTL because this Mexican salamander is renowned for its unique ability to regenerate body parts, like limbs, and is often described as "adorable" due to its smile-like appearance and frilly gills. Its distinct traits perfectly match the clue.

  • The answer is SMS because it stands for "Short Message Service," a widely used format for text messaging. The clue specifies "for short," indicating an abbreviation is required, making SMS the correct solution as a shorthand reference to texting technology.

  • The answer "RIO" refers to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the city widely recognized as the birthplace of bossa nova, a popular Brazilian music style that emerged in the late 1950s. The genre blends samba and jazz influences, with Rio being central to its cultural and musical origins.

  • The phrase "Even score" refers to when two competing sides have the same score, resulting in a "TIE." "Even" suggests equality, and in sports or contests, a tied score reflects this equal standing. Hence, TIE fits perfectly as the solution.

  • ANT is the solution because ants prominently appear as surreal elements in Salvador Dalí's painting "The Persistence of Memory," symbolizing decay and impermanence. Their presence reflects Dalí's dreamlike and symbolic style, making them the insect referenced in the clue.

  • The clue "Directory abbr." suggests an abbreviation commonly found in directories. "EXT" stands for "extension," a term used in phone directories to indicate an additional line connected to a main number. It's a shorthand often seen in contact lists or office directories.

  • The NES, short for Nintendo Entertainment System, is the console on which the original Metroid game was first released in 1986. The clue specifies "console, for short," leading to the abbreviation NES, the iconic 8-bit gaming system by Nintendo.

Down

  • The answer is CHEXMIX because Chex Mix is a popular party snack made by combining Chex cereal, pretzels, and other ingredients like peanuts or crackers. The clue directly describes this mixture, making CHEXMIX the perfect fit. The lack of wordplay indicates a straightforward interpretation.

  • The answer is LEGOSET because a LEGO set consists of numerous interlocking plastic pieces designed to fit together for building. As a popular gift, especially for kids and hobbyists, it aligns perfectly with the clue's description of a "gift with many interlocking pieces."

  • The answer "EL AL" comes from the Hebrew phrase "el al," meaning "to the skies" or "upwards," which is derived from the Book of Hosea in the Hebrew Bible. EL AL is Israel's national airline, making the biblical reference fitting for its name.

  • The answer "ALSORAN" refers to a candidate in an election who did not win, often described as someone who "also ran" in the race but did not secure victory. This term humorously or dismissively captures the idea of an election loser.

  • The answer "ROUTINE" refers to the prepared set of jokes, stories, and comedic material a stand-up comic performs on stage. It is their "act" or standard performance, aligning perfectly with the clue "Stand-up comic's act."

  • The clue refers to the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+V" (or "Command+V" on Mac), which is the universally recognized command for "PASTE" in computing. When text, images, or files are copied, this command places the copied content into the desired location. Hence, the answer is PASTE.

  • The clue uses wordplay with "Pulling their arms," referring to the lever arms on slot machines. When you pull the lever (or arm) on a slot machine, you play the game, which may result in winning money. Hence, "SLOTS" perfectly fits as the answer.

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Hard

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Solving today’s NYT Mini Puzzle and stuck on the 7-letter answer to the Stand-up comic's act 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.

Stand-up comic's act Answer Explained

The answer is ROUTINE.

A stand-up comedian performs a ROUTINE, a set of jokes and stories prepared for the stage. I might have first thought of “set” or “bit,” but those are shorter and don’t fit the clue’s structure. ROUTINE fits both the context and the grid size. It’s also used outside of comedy to describe any repeated or rehearsed performance. Crossword clues often define words in context, so “comic’s act” points straight here.

Now that you've cracked the 5D Stand-up comic's act 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 Saturday 7×7 Mini is by Wyna Liu, best known as the editor behind Connections and a frequent contributor to the Mini. It’s a clever puzzle packed with creative clues that feel fresh and modern. Topics range from mythology and art to texting, comedy, and console gaming. A few clues might catch you off guard in a fun way, expect some wordplay and cultural references.

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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