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NYT’s The Mini Crossword Answers and Hints

Across

  • The answer "HEAD" refers to the frothy layer of foam that forms on the top of a freshly poured beer. This foam is commonly called the "head" in beer terminology, making it the fitting solution for the clue "Beer foam."

  • The answer is TANGO because the tango is a well-known partner dance that requires two people to perform. The phrase “it takes two to tango” is also a popular saying, reinforcing the clue's connection to this dance style and its reliance on partnership.

  • A CHARGER is an essential item when traveling, especially for keeping devices like phones and laptops powered. Forgetting it can be very annoying, as it often leads to inconvenience or difficulty staying connected. The clue highlights this everyday frustration through its straightforward and relatable context.

  • HOTPINK is associated with Barbie as it has long been her signature color, representing the brand's iconic imagery. From packaging to clothing, this vibrant and bold shade of pink is commonly linked to Barbie dolls, emphasizing femininity and fun. The clue directly ties to this cultural connection.

  • The phrase "For all intents and purposes" is a common English idiom meaning "in every practical sense." The blank in the clue is filled with "intents" to complete the well-known expression, making INTENTS the correct answer.

  • The answer is MOORE because Wes Moore is the current governor of Maryland as of 2023. He made history as the first Black governor of the state, inaugurated in January 2023. This clue directly refers to his role and name.

  • The clue “Cons’ counterparts” refers to the wordplay surrounding pros and cons, a common phrase meaning positives and negatives. Since "cons" represents negatives or disadvantages, its counterpart is "pros," which are positives or advantages. Thus, PROS is the correct answer.

Down

  • The answer is HARPERS because Harper's Magazine is the oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the United States, first launched in 1850. Its longevity and significant cultural influence match the clue's description perfectly.

  • The answer is ENGINE because it is the primary component at the front of a train that provides the power to pull the rest of the cars. In traditional train setups, the "engine" leads and drives the train, making it the front car by default.

  • The solution is AGENT because an agent is a professional representative who manages contracts, endorsements, and negotiations on behalf of athletes. The clue is straightforward and literal, referring to the person advocating and making deals for the athlete.

  • The clue "Nerds" and the answer "DORKS" are synonymous, both referring to socially awkward or academically focused individuals. This is a straightforward clue without wordplay, relying on the common interchangeability of these terms in casual language.

  • The clue "Body image?" features a question mark, signaling wordplay. A "tattoo" is a body image in the literal sense—permanent artwork inked onto the skin. The pun plays on "body" as the canvas and "image" as the visual design, making TATTOO the fitting answer.

  • The answer CHIMP refers to chimpanzees, which, like bonobos, are members of the genus Pan within the primate family. Bonobos and chimpanzees are closely related, sharing a common ancestry and over 98% of their DNA with humans, making CHIMP a logical solution.

  • The clue "Pay tribute to" directly aligns with the word HONOR because to honor someone means to show respect, recognition, or tribute to their achievements or memory. The verb "honor" encapsulates the act of paying homage or expressing admiration, making it the perfect solution.

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Today’s NYT Mini Highlights

This Saturday Mini by Joel Fagliano brings the classic weekend challenge with a larger 7x7 grid! There’s a fun mix of pop culture, wordplay, and everyday frustrations—one clue really captures that "Oh no, I forgot it!" travel moment. A bit of history sneaks in too, testing knowledge beyond the usual trivia. Solid Saturday workout!

Today's Tricky Wordplay

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What is NYT The Mini Crossword?

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.

Today's NYT Puzzle Guides by LadyPuzzle Pro

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 a check become blue.

Leaderboards

It’s an additional social resource provided by NYT. You can add friends (up to 100 invitees) to track daily completion and compete.

Daily Challenges Beyond NYT Games

The Atlantic Puzzle Companions

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