Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and today's grid mixes inkblot interpretation with familiar trivia and conversational clues. Come on in and let the crossings guide your imagination.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, offering a mid-size grid that takes a few satisfying minutes to clear. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime.
New puzzles drop daily. The Midi offers more complexity than the Mini while remaining accessible for solvers who want a quick but substantial challenge.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 9x9
Total Clues: 29 (14 Across, 15 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 22A is the trickiest because its circus-costume interpretation also requires a phrase completed at 23A.
Gimme Clue: 20A is the gimme, with distinctive card actions pointing directly to a familiar game.
Theme Spotted: "Paging Dr. Rorschach"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. "Will you permit me, please?"
Hint: Phrase this as a brief, courteous request for permission. Four letters, starts with M.
5A. Top-level bosses, informally
Hint: Think of the abbreviated job title for executives at the very top. Four letters, starts with C.
9A. Ready for business
Hint: Picture the sign a shop displays when customers can come inside. Four letters, starts with O.
10A. Landed (on)
Hint: Think of a literary past-tense verb for a bird settling on a branch. Four letters, starts with A.
11A. This puzzle's inkblot image ... to a bug collector?
Hint: Look for an insect with broad wings extending to either side of its body. Nine letters, starts with B.
13A. Firefighter's tool
Hint: Think of a chopping tool used to break through doors. Three letters, starts with A.
14A. Someone enjoying the slopes
Hint: Picture a winter athlete gliding downhill with poles. Five letters, starts with S.
16A. ... to a NASCAR fan?
Hint: Revisit the inkblot as a motorsports venue where drivers circle a course. Nine letters, starts with R.
20A. Card game with Skip and Reverse cards
Hint: Think of the game where you match colors or numbers and announce your final card. Three letters, starts with U.
21A. ___/her pronouns
Hint: The blank needs the subject form paired with the supplied object form. Three letters, starts with S.
22A. With 23-Across ... to a circus clown?
Hint: With 23A, picture a clown's oversized neck accessory. Three letters, starts with B.
23A. See 22-Across
Hint: Complete the neck accessory suggested by the circus-costume reading at 22A. Three letters, starts with T.
24A. Long-running NBC sketch show, for short
Hint: Use the initials of NBC's late-night sketch-comedy program. Three letters, starts with S.
25A. DoorDash or Duolingo
Hint: Think of the general term for downloadable phone software. Three letters, starts with A.
Down Hints
1D. "The Godfather" group, with "the"
Hint: Think of the organized-crime collective at the heart of the film. Three letters, starts with M.
2D. Kwik-E-Mart storekeeper on "The Simpsons"
Hint: Recall the Springfield convenience-store proprietor associated with the Kwik-E-Mart. Three letters, starts with A.
3D. "So close, ___ so far"
Hint: The missing conjunction contrasts nearness with distance. Three letters, starts with Y.
4D. Amount consumed
Hint: Think of the total food or drink a person consumes. Six letters, starts with I.
5D. Professional path
Hint: Think of someone's working life viewed as a continuing professional journey. Six letters, starts with C.
6D. Film with the line "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear"
Hint: Identify the Christmas comedy associated with this enthusiastic advice about singing. Three letters, starts with E.
7D. Lubricate
Hint: Think of what you do to a squeaky hinge to reduce friction. Three letters, starts with O.
8D. Hangout for hogs
Hint: Think of a farm enclosure for pigs. Three letters, starts with S.
12D. Illuminated sign in movie theaters
Hint: Look for the sign directing moviegoers toward a way out. Four letters, starts with E.
14D. Make a frowny expression
Hint: Use a verb for drawing your face into an angry frown. Five letters, starts with S.
15D. Worshiper of Jah
Hint: Use the informal name for a devotee of Jah. Five letters, starts with R.
16D. Massage parlor offerings
Hint: Think of hands-on treatments that work sore muscles. Four letters, starts with R.
17D. Unknown source, informally
Hint: Use an abbreviated attribution for someone whose identity is undisclosed. Four letters, starts with A.
18D. Nvidia product
Hint: Think of a small electronic component used for computer processing. Four letters, starts with C.
19D. Hold on to
Hint: Use a verb meaning retain rather than surrender. Four letters, starts with K.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. "Will you permit me, please?"
Answer: MAYI
5A. Top-level bosses, informally
Answer: CEOS
9A. Ready for business
Answer: OPEN
10A. Landed (on)
Answer: ALIT
11A. This puzzle's inkblot image ... to a bug collector?
Answer: BUTTERFLY
13A. Firefighter's tool
Answer: AXE
14A. Someone enjoying the slopes
Answer: SKIER
16A. ... to a NASCAR fan?
Answer: RACETRACK
20A. Card game with Skip and Reverse cards
Answer: UNO
21A. ___/her pronouns
Answer: SHE
22A. With 23-Across ... to a circus clown?
Answer: BOW
23A. See 22-Across
Answer: TIE
24A. Long-running NBC sketch show, for short
Answer: SNL
25A. DoorDash or Duolingo
Answer: APP
Down Answers
1D. "The Godfather" group, with "the"
Answer: MOB
2D. Kwik-E-Mart storekeeper on "The Simpsons"
Answer: APU
3D. "So close, ___ so far"
Answer: YET
4D. Amount consumed
Answer: INTAKE
5D. Professional path
Answer: CAREER
6D. Film with the line "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear"
Answer: ELF
7D. Lubricate
Answer: OIL
8D. Hangout for hogs
Answer: STY
12D. Illuminated sign in movie theaters
Answer: EXIT
14D. Make a frowny expression
Answer: SCOWL
15D. Worshiper of Jah
Answer: RASTA
16D. Massage parlor offerings
Answer: RUBS
17D. Unknown source, informally
Answer: ANON
18D. Nvidia product
Answer: CHIP
19D. Hold on to
Answer: KEEP
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 11A, "This puzzle's inkblot image ... to a bug collector?", gives BUTTERFLY and establishes the grid's central idea. The observer's interest determines the interpretation, a device revisited through NASCAR and circus imagery.
Wordplay Winner: 22A and 23A win with BOW TIE, turning the inkblot into a clown's neckwear. Splitting the phrase across separate entries adds a linking step to the visual reinterpretation.
Quick Fill: 20A's UNO is a fast, confident fill because Skip and Reverse identify the game cleanly. It supplies crossing letters for RUBS at 16D, ANON at 17D, and SCOWL at 14D, giving the lower-left corner a useful foothold.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Treat a leading ellipsis as a cue to revisit an earlier clue. Here, 16A borrows the inkblot setup from 11A, while 22A also requires its partner at 23A.
Use direct definitions to support the imaginative entries: INTAKE and CAREER both cross BUTTERFLY and RACETRACK. Their letters let you test a visual interpretation against the grid.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct clues give this grid firm footing, while the inkblot rewards a change of perspective. BOW TIE provides the neatest finish, joining a visual joke to a linked phrase.
See you at the next grid.
