Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Thursday's grid brings a 9x10 challenge that leans heavily on pop culture, with a split theme connecting a Raymond Chandler adaptation to a classic children's song. Expect a mix of brand-name trivia and straightforward fill that rewards solvers who know their 1970s noir and their espresso machines.
How The Midi Works
The Midi is the middle ground between the Mini and the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring an 8x10 or 9x11 grid with 15-20 Across and 15-20 Down clues. It takes about 5-15 minutes to solve, making it perfect for a coffee break or commute. 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: 9x10
Total Clues: 41 (25 Across, 16 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Italian brand of espresso machines" Unless you're a home barista, this one requires a guess or solid cross letters.
Gimme Clue: "Opposite of failure" A five-letter antonym that offers a confident starting point for the whole grid.
Theme Spotted: "Continuous Wave"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Opposite of failure
Hint: The word you're aiming for starts with S and has six letters. Think victory.
8. Italian brand of espresso machines
Hint: Eight letters. The brand starts with D and is a common sight in higher-end home kitchens and coffee shops.
9. In bed, but not lying down
Hint: Two words, 8 letters total. You're propped up against pillows.
10. Tin or tungsten
Hint: Five letters. Think periodic table category.
11. "So gross"
Hint: Three letters. A common interjection of disgust.
12. High-priced fur
Hint: Five letters. The animal is also a color descriptor in computing.
17. "Head, Shoulders, Knees and ___"
Hint: Four letters. It rhymes with "nose" and "clothes."
19. "Check it out!"
Hint: Four letters. A command to direct your gaze.
20. With 22-Across, 1973 film starring Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe
Hint: Seven letters, first word of a two-word title. Starts with "THE."
22. See 20-Across
Hint: Seven letters. The second word. Think farewell.
23. Out of the ordinary
Hint: Seven letters, starts with U. Synonyms include "strange" and "odd."
24. Was introduced to
Hint: Three letters. Past tense of a common social verb.
25. "Your" of yore
Hint: Three letters. Shakespearean possessive.
Down Hints
1. Establish how things are going to go
Hint: Ten letters, three words. Starts with S. Think about defining the atmosphere at the start.
2. Competitor of Sephora
Hint: Four letters. A beauty retailer with a short name.
3. Winds like a snake
Hint: Five letters, starts with C. Think of a spring or a curled rope.
4. Abby Phillip's network
Hint: Three letters. A major cable news channel.
5. Something cracked by a baker
Hint: Three letters. Breakfast staple, comes from a chicken.
6. Moo ___ pork
Hint: Three letters. A Chinese cooking technique.
7. Drink in small quantities
Hint: Three letters. A tiny taste of liquid.
8. Soccer legend ___ Maradona
Hint: Five letters, starts with D. First name of the Argentine icon.
9. Spicy BookTok fodder
Hint: Four letters. A genre of racy fiction.
13. Very nearly
Hint: Six letters, starts with A. A synonym for "almost."
14. "Take that!"
Hint: Six letters. An exclamation of triumph, starts with B.
15. In need of some company
Hint: Six letters, starts with L. The opposite of surrounded by friends.
16. Test of heart activity, for short
Hint: Three letters. A medical abbreviation using initials.
18. Holler
Hint: Five letters. To yell or call out loudly.
21. People who take pitches from writers: Abbr.
Hint: Three letters. Publishing abbreviation, plural.
22. Wad that might end up on the underside of a desk
Hint: Three letters. Chewing substance, often stuck.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Opposite of failure
Answer: SUCCESS
8. Italian brand of espresso machines
Answer: DELONGHI
9. In bed, but not lying down
Answer: SITTINGUP
10. Tin or tungsten
Answer: METAL
11. "So gross"
Answer: UGH
12. High-priced fur
Answer: SABLE
17. "Head, Shoulders, Knees and ___"
Answer: TOES
19. "Check it out!"
Answer: LOOK
20. With 22-Across, 1973 film starring Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe
Answer: THELONG
22. See 20-Across
Answer: GOODBYE
23. Out of the ordinary
Answer: UNUSUAL
24. Was introduced to
Answer: MET
25. "Your" of yore
Answer: THY
Down Answers
1. Establish how things are going to go
Answer: SETTHETONE
2. Competitor of Sephora
Answer: ULTA
3. Winds like a snake
Answer: COILS
4. Abby Phillip's network
Answer: CNN
5. Something cracked by a baker
Answer: EGG
6. Moo ___ pork
Answer: SHU
7. Drink in small quantities
Answer: SIP
8. Soccer legend ___ Maradona
Answer: DIEGO
9. Spicy BookTok fodder
Answer: SMUT
13. Very nearly
Answer: ALLBUT
14. "Take that!"
Answer: BOOYAH
15. In need of some company
Answer: LONELY
16. Test of heart activity, for short
Answer: EKG
18. Holler
Answer: SHOUT
21. People who take pitches from writers: Abbr.
Answer: EDS
22. Wad that might end up on the underside of a desk
Answer: GUM
Grid Breakdown
Standout Clue: The 20A/22A pair for THELONG/GOODBYE. "The Long Goodbye" is a deep cut for solvers who know their 1970s New Hollywood cinema, and the split-clue format adds an extra layer of satisfaction when the connection clicks.
Wordplay Winner: "In bed, but not lying down" for SITTINGUP. The clue plays on the double meaning of "lying" (reclining vs. telling a falsehood), and the answer subverts the expected reading.
Quick Fill: "So gross" for UGH. Three letters, common expression, no hesitation required.
Speed Solver Tips
Start with 1A (SUCCESS) and 17A (TOES). These are the most accessible entries and give you strong cross letters into trickier sections like the 20A/22A film split.
Watch for three-letter fillers like UGH, MET, SIP, and GUM. They anchor the grid's shorter slots and unlock longer answers in the Down column without requiring deep trivia knowledge.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. How did today's grid treat you? The 20A/22A film split and the SITTINGUP misdirection were the highlights of a balanced Thursday puzzle. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
