Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!"
CHACHAS
The clue references dance steps following "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!"—a pattern often tied to specific instructions in dance. "Cha-cha" is a lively ballroom dance featuring rhythmic steps, including stomping. The repeated "CHACHAS" reflects the dance's name and style, matching the clue's rhythm.
Across
The answer "CASE" is correct because a standard case of beer typically contains 24 cans or bottles. This connection is commonly recognized, making "CASE" the shorthand term for 24 cans of beer.
5⬆ or ⬇ARROW?????✨ See Why
The clue "⬆ or ⬇" uses symbols to represent directions, typically associated with an arrow. Arrows point up (⬆) or down (⬇), making "ARROW" the logical answer based on these visual indicators. This is a straightforward interpretation of the images provided.
6Cold spike?ICICLE??????✨ See Why
The clue "Cold spike?" includes a pun, signaled by the question mark. "Spike" suggests something sharp or pointed, and "cold" hints at freezing temperatures. An ICICLE is a pointed formation made of frozen water, fitting both "cold" and "spike" perfectly as the solution.
7Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!"CHACHAS???????✨ See Why
The clue references dance steps following "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!"—a pattern often tied to specific instructions in dance. "Cha-cha" is a lively ballroom dance featuring rhythmic steps, including stomping. The repeated "CHACHAS" reflects the dance's name and style, matching the clue's rhythm.
8Cybersecurity menaceHACKER??????✨ See Why
The clue "Cybersecurity menace" points to someone who poses a threat to computer security. A "HACKER" is an individual skilled in exploiting vulnerabilities in systems, often breaking into networks or devices, making them a clear cybersecurity menace.
9Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, etc.IVIES?????✨ See Why
The answer "IVIES" refers to the Ivy League, a group of prestigious universities in the United States, including Columbia, Dartmouth, and Harvard. The nickname "Ivies" comes from these institutions being part of this elite association known for academic excellence and tradition.
10"Cool!"NEAT????✨ See Why
The clue “Cool!” in quotes suggests a casual, spoken expression. “Neat” is often used informally to mean “cool” or “awesome,” making it the perfect fit. The quotes indicate conversational tone, pointing directly to such colloquial wording.
Down
1A sport, or an insectCRICKET???????✨ See Why
The answer "CRICKET" works because it has a double meaning: it’s both a popular sport, particularly in countries like England and India, and a type of insect known for its chirping sound. The clue’s dual nature ties directly to these two definitions.
2Parts of the McDonald's logoARCHES??????✨ See Why
The solution "ARCHES" refers to the iconic Golden Arches, which are a key part of McDonald's logo. These two giant, curved yellow structures form a prominent "M," representing the brand globally. The clue directly points to these distinct architectural elements of the logo.
3Renewable energy optionSOLAR?????✨ See Why
The solution "SOLAR" fits because solar energy is a widely recognized renewable energy source. It harnesses sunlight via solar panels to generate power, making it sustainable and eco-friendly. The clue directly points to "renewable energy," and solar is a key option in this category.
4Female sheepEWES????✨ See Why
The answer "EWES" is correct because it is the term specifically used to refer to female sheep. This is a straightforward definition clue with no wordplay involved, directly asking for the common term for female sheep.
5Thorny tree that's a favorite of giraffesACACIA??????✨ See Why
The answer is ACACIA because it is a thorny tree commonly found in African savannas, where giraffes native to the region frequently feed on its leaves. Giraffes can navigate the tree's thorny branches with their long tongues, making it a favorite food source for them.
6"___ my reasons ..."IHAVE?????✨ See Why
The clue "___ my reasons ..." is a partial phrase requiring completion. The phrase "I have my reasons" is a common expression, making "IHAVE" the logical and natural answer here. It fits the context and structure perfectly as the opening of the phrase.
7Place for hair in "The Three Little Pigs"CHIN????✨ See Why
The clue plays on the famous line from "The Three Little Pigs": "Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin!" The "place for hair" referenced in the story is the chin, as highlighted by the repeated phrase in the pigs' dialogue.
Solving today’s NYT Mini Puzzle and stuck on the 7-letter answer to the Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!" 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.
Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!" Answer Explained
The answer is CHACHAS.
The clue refers to the well-known dance instructions from the "Cha Cha Slide," a popular party song and dance. In the song, the dancer is prompted to perform specific moves, including stomping with the left and right feet, followed by "cha-cha" steps. The answer, "CHACHAS," fits perfectly as it describes the steps that come after the stomps in the routine. Additionally, the plural form "CHACHAS" aligns with the plural nature of "steps" in the clue. This clue plays on familiar choreography to guide you to the correct answer.
Now that you've cracked the 7A Dance steps after "Right foot, let's stomp! Left foot, let's stomp!" 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 Mini from Joel Fagliano delivered the larger weekend grid we've come to expect, with a compact layout and very little short fill. It felt oddly split between clues that fell instantly and others that required a real pause, with not much in between. The toughest one for me was the spanner CHACHAS. If you don't immediately think of the cha-cha as a Latin dance or recognize "Ivies" as shorthand for the Ivy League universities, they can slow you down today. ACACIA was another answer that took a moment to surface, especially from the clue alone. Overall, it was a satisfying Saturday solve that rewarded broad general knowledge without relying on obscure trivia or overly tricky wordplay.
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.
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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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