Use a surgical beam - LA Times Mini Crossword

Stuck on the 4-letter answer to the 'Use a surgical beam' clue in today’s LA Times The Mini Crossword Puzzle? Don’t worry, Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you’re just looking for the answer or want to understand why it’s correct and improve your crossword-solving skills, keep reading.

Use a surgical beam

Saturday, Aug 30, 2025

The answer is LASE.

The clue “Use a surgical beam” is pointing at a very specific verb: LASE. It’s a back-formation from the word “laser,” which itself stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” Instead of saying “to use a laser,” the verb form became “to lase.” This shows up in both scientific writing (like physics papers) and crossword puzzles, but it can feel odd if you haven’t seen it before. In the clue, “surgical beam” guides you toward a laser in medicine, like LASIK eye surgery. The step from laser (noun) to lase (verb) is what makes the clue clever but tough.

Today’s LA Times Mini Highlights

Today’s LA Times Mini had a nice balance of straightforward entries and a few sneaky twists. The repeat clue “Tonic go-with” for both GIN and VODKA was playful and kept solvers guessing, while trickier entries like GUV and LASE added some bite. Brand names like UHAUL and short conversational answers like IHOPE gave it a modern feel. Overall, it was a quick but satisfying solve, with just enough variety to keep even experienced solvers engaged.

Today's Tricky Clues

• State exec, in tabloid headlines
• Mover’s rental

About LA Times Mini Crossword

The LA Times Mini Crossword is a daily, bite-sized puzzle from the Los Angeles Times. Designed for quick solving, it delivers the fun of a full crossword in a compact format that takes just a few minutes to complete.

Key Features

• Daily puzzles: A new mini crossword is released every day.
• Free to play: No subscription required—accessible directly on the LA Times website.
• Mobile-friendly: Optimized for quick, on-the-go solving.
• Puzzle archive: Solvers can access past minis for extra practice.

How It Compares

• Similar in style and size to the New York Times Mini Crossword, but created separately.
• Remains free to play, unlike the NYT Mini, which now sits behind a paywall.

Why Play?

The LA Times Mini is perfect for anyone looking for:

• A fast daily challenge.
• A fun brain warm-up.
• Crossword-style gameplay that’s approachable for beginners and still satisfying for seasoned solvers.