Today's NYT Midi Crossword is live, and Tuesday's grid serves up a trio of punny "Expo" theme entries that reward solvers who think in homophones.
At 9x9 with 23 total clues, it's a brisk solve for anyone warmed up on wordplay.
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: 9x9
Total Clues: 23 (12 Across, 11 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Expo for thespians?", a layered pun that mashes a theater convention with the phrase "play fair"
Gimme Clue: "Practical joke", one of those one-letter-in-each-direction starters that practically fills itself
Theme Spotted: "Let's Get Together"
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Practical joke
Hint: Think comedy bits and sketch shows. Three letters, starts with G.
4. Do something
Hint: Take action. Three letters, starts with A.
7. Way in or out
Hint: What you open and close to enter a room. Four letters, starts with D.
9. "So exciting!!"
Hint: The sound of thrilled realization. Three letters, starts with A.
10. Expo for thespians?
Hint: A theater convention. It also sounds like a phrase about following the rules. Eight letters.
12. "Be ___, Do Crime"
Hint: A three-letter word that completes a popular ironic slogan. Starts with G.
13. ___ Vegas
Hint: The city of neon lights. Three letters, starts with L.
15. Expo for nail techs?
Hint: A convention for manicurists. Also a word for a public demonstration. Eight letters.
17. Outkast rapper Big ___
Hint: Three-letter stage name. Rhymes with "joy."
18. Honolulu's island
Hint: The most populous Hawaiian island. Four letters.
19. Expo for hopeless romantics?
Hint: A convention for people who fall fast and hard. Also a term for a deceptive scheme. Seven letters.
22. Confidently state
Hint: Declare with authority. Six letters, starts with A.
23. "The Golden Girls" actress White
Hint: Rose Nylund's real name. Five letters, starts with B.
Down Hints
1. Economic stat for a country
Hint: Three-letter acronym. The total value of goods and services produced.
2. Internet company that popularized instant messaging
Hint: Three letters. You probably had an email address ending in this in the 90s.
3. Defy
Hint: Resist or oppose. Nine letters, two words.
4. Small battery size
Hint: Three letters. The smallest common cylindrical battery.
5. Person from the world's southernmost country
Hint: Seven letters. The country is long and narrow along South America's west coast.
6. High-tempo heavy metal subgenre
Hint: Six letters. Think fast, aggressive drumming and shouted vocals.
8. "Sinners" director Coogler
Hint: Four letters. First name of the Black Panther director.
11. "Oh, just so u know ..."
Hint: Three-letter acronym for "for your information."
14. Name made up of three consecutive letters in the alphabet
Hint: Three letters. S-T-U. A common nickname.
15. ___ Master (card game with an antlered logo)
Hint: Five letters. A large animal with antlers.
16. Unit of length
Hint: Four letters. 12 inches.
17. Run your mouth
Hint: Talk too much or reveal a secret. Four letters, starts with B.
20. Obtain
Hint: Acquire or secure. Three letters.
21. Have a bawl
Hint: Shed tears. Three letters, starts with C.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1. Practical joke
Answer: GAG
4. Do something
Answer: ACT
7. Way in or out
Answer: DOOR
9. "So exciting!!"
Answer: AHH
10. Expo for thespians?
Answer: PLAYFAIR
12. "Be ___, Do Crime"
Answer: GAY
13. ___ Vegas
Answer: LAS
15. Expo for nail techs?
Answer: MANIFEST
17. Outkast rapper Big ___
Answer: BOI
18. Honolulu's island
Answer: OAHU
19. Expo for hopeless romantics?
Answer: LONGCON
22. Confidently state
Answer: ASSERT
23. "The Golden Girls" actress White
Answer: BETTY
Down Answers
1. Economic stat for a country
Answer: GDP
2. Internet company that popularized instant messaging
Answer: AOL
3. Defy
Answer: GOAGAINST
4. Small battery size
Answer: AAA
5. Person from the world's southernmost country
Answer: CHILEAN
6. High-tempo heavy metal subgenre
Answer: THRASH
8. "Sinners" director Coogler
Answer: RYAN
11. "Oh, just so u know ..."
Answer: FYI
14. Name made up of three consecutive letters in the alphabet
Answer: STU
15. ___ Master (card game with an antlered logo)
Answer: MOOSE
16. Unit of length
Answer: FOOT
17. Run your mouth
Answer: BLAB
20. Obtain
Answer: GET
21. Have a bawl
Answer: CRY
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Expo for thespians?" for PLAYFAIR. The clue works on two levels: a "play" is a theatrical performance, and a convention (or "con") for theater people. But read it aloud and it's also the phrase "play fair", a clean double pun that rewards saying the answer out loud.
Wordplay Winner: "Expo for nail techs?" for MANIFEST. "Mani" is short for manicure, and "fest" means festival or convention. Smash them together and you get MANIFEST, also a word meaning to display or demonstrate. Three puns in one clue.
Quick Fill: "Practical joke" for GAG. Three letters, common crossword staple, and it crosses with GDP and AOL in the top-left corner for an easy start.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Tuesday's theme clues all end in "CON" spelled backwards into the grid. When you spot a question mark clue with "Expo" in it, expect a compound pun, break the clue into two words, find the homophone, and you'll crack the theme.
Three-letter answers dominate the top rows (GAG, ACT, DOOR, AHH, LAS). Fill those in first to expose crossing letters for the longer theme entries. Short fill is your scaffolding in a 9x9 grid.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Midi drops tomorrow. Today's Expo theme required thinking about words as sounds, not just definitions, a skill that carries into Wednesday puzzles when the difficulty ramps up. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
