Starting your week with the New York Times Mini Crossword? I’ve solved today’s puzzle and am ready to share all the answers with explanations. Monday puzzles are typically the gentlest of the week, designed to ease solvers into the NYT crossword rhythm, and today’s offering follows that pattern with some playful and accessible clues.
Today’s Completed Answers
Across Clues
1. “Hey … wanna hear a secret?”
Answer: PSST
This four-letter answer represents the whispered sound we make to get someone’s attention when we want to share something quietly. “PSST” is onomatopoeic, mimicking the actual sound made when trying to discreetly catch someone’s attention.
5. Spooky story?
Answer: TALE
A clever clue with the question mark indicating wordplay. A spooky story is simply a “TALE” – specifically one designed to frighten or unsettle the listener.
7. Baby grand, for one
Answer: PIANO
A baby grand is a type of “PIANO,” specifically a shorter version of a grand piano designed to fit in smaller spaces while maintaining much of the sound quality of its larger counterpart.
8. Perfectly behaved child
Answer: ANGEL
When a child is exceptionally well-behaved, we often describe them metaphorically as an “ANGEL,” drawing on the image of celestial beings known for their goodness and purity.
9. Something to cram for
Answer: EXAM
Students often find themselves “cramming” or studying intensely in a short period before an “EXAM,” making this a straightforward clue about academic life.
Down Clues
1. Letter between Oscar and Quebec in the NATO alphabet Answer: PAPA
In the NATO phonetic alphabet, the sequence goes: Oscar, “PAPA,” Quebec. This standardized alphabet assigns words to letters to ensure clear communication, especially in radio transmissions.
2. Period of work
Answer: STINT
A “STINT” refers to a fixed or limited period spent doing a particular job or activity. You might have a stint as a summer intern or a stint working abroad.
3. “All the world,” per a famous line from Shakespeare
Answer: STAGE
This references Shakespeare’s famous line from “As You Like It”: “All the world’s a STAGE, and all the men and women merely players.” It’s one of the Bard’s most quoted passages about the human condition.
4. Pointy parts of a fork
Answer: TINES
The “TINES” are the prongs or pointed parts of a fork that spear food. A standard dinner fork typically has four tines, though specialized forks may have two or three.
6. Indianapolis football player
Answer: COLT
This refers to a player on the Indianapolis Colts NFL team. The team has been based in Indianapolis since 1984, after relocating from Baltimore.
What makes Monday puzzles unique?
Monday puzzles in the NYT Mini Crossword series are designed as gentle entry points for solvers of all levels. They typically feature straightforward clues, everyday vocabulary, and minimal wordplay. These puzzles rarely include obscure references or highly specialized knowledge, making them perfect for beginners or those looking for a quick mental warm-up to start the week.
Solving Strategies for Mini Crosswords
- Look for gimmes first – Start with clues that immediately spring to mind
- Work the crosses – Use letters from solved words to help with intersecting answers
- Consider common crossword vocabulary – Words like “ERA,” “AREA,” and “ORE” appear frequently
- Pay attention to tense and plurality – The clue format often hints at whether an answer is singular/plural or past/present
Interesting Connections in Today’s Puzzle
If you look closely, today’s Mini features some thematic connections. The clue “PSST” (for sharing secrets) pairs nicely with “TALE” (storytelling), while “ANGEL” (well-behaved child) creates an interesting contrast with the stress of an “EXAM” that students might cram for.
Shakespeare’s reference to the world as a “STAGE” adds a touch of literary class to this Monday puzzle, elevating what might otherwise be a straightforward set of clues.
Final Thoughts
The March 24, 2025, Mini Crossword shows the NYT’s talent for creating accessible yet engaging puzzles. I hope this solution guide helped you complete today’s grid and perhaps learn something new.
What was your favorite clue from today’s puzzle? Did any particular answer make you smile or give you that satisfying “aha” moment that makes crosswords addictive?
