NYT Mini Answer for Mar 14, 2025

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Possible words for each clue

1-Across. Hydroelectric project

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

TUN DAM WAT RES PEN

4-Across. Piece of the pie

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

SHARE SLICE SHARE SHARE SHARE

6-Across. Concern for a basement apartment

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

SPACE LIGHT HEATS WATER DRAIN

7-Across. Noted octet in higher education

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

CLIQU IVIES UNISE ALUMN GROUP

8-Across. Fur-riend

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

CAT PET DOG

1-Down. Piece of the pi?

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE DIGIT NUMBE PIECE RATIO

2-Down. Feel the pain

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

HURT ACHE STAB BURN PAIN

3-Down. Team that signed Juan Soto to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

NATS METS WASH CARD BLUE

4-Down. Mess (up)

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

SLIP MUCK SNAG SPIT LUMP

5-Down. Like podcasts with a studio audience, say

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

LIVE TALK SHOW CHAT SEAT

Based on the hints provided, have you managed to deduce the solution? If you're still struggling, please refer to the answers listed below.

Today's Answers Explained

Hydroelectric project

The hint "Hydroelectric project" is related to the word "DAM" in English because a dam is a structure used in hydroelectric projects to impound water, creating a reservoir behind it. The water is then channeled through turbines to generate electricity. The word "DAM" is an acronym for "dam" itself, but in this context, it refers to the structure used in hydroelectric projects to harness the energy of water.

Piece of the pie

The phrase "piece of the pie" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a share or portion of something, often in a metaphorical sense.

In this context, the word "slice" is closely related to the phrase "piece of the pie" because a slice is a specific portion or part of a pie, which is a type of baked dessert. The idea is that just as a pie is divided into individual slices, a larger entity or resource can be divided into smaller portions or shares, each of which is a "slice" or "piece" of the whole.

Concern for a basement apartment

The hint "Concern for a basement apartment" is related to the word "LIGHT" in English because of the phrase "light in the basement." This phrase is often used to describe a concern or issue that is hidden or not immediately apparent, but still present and potentially problematic.

Noted octet in higher education

The hint "Noted octet in higher education" refers to the Ivy League, which is a group of eight prestigious private colleges and universities in the Northeastern United States.

The word "IVIES" is an acronym for the eight Ivy League schools:

1. Harvard University
2. Yale University
3. University of Pennsylvania
4. Princeton University
5. Columbia University
6. Brown University
7. Dartmouth College
8. Cornell University

Fur-riend

The hint "Fur-riend" is a play on words related to the word "PET" in English.

In this hint, "Fur" is a reference to the fur of animals, which is often associated with pets.

Combining "Fur" with "friend" creates the word "Fur-riend", which sounds similar to "PET" when pronounced.

This wordplay is used to create a pun, linking the idea of a pet (an animal) with a friend, highlighting the close relationship between humans and their pets.

Piece of the pi?

The hint "Piece of the pi?" is related to the word "DIGIT" in English because a digit is a single numerical value, and pi is a mathematical constant represented by a series of digits (3.141592653589793...). The word "digit" is a play on words here, as it refers to both a single numerical value and a part of the mathematical constant pi.

Feel the pain

The hint "Feel the pain" is related to the word "ACHE" in English because "ache" is a verb that means to feel a sharp, dull, or throbbing pain, often in a specific part of the body.

Team that signed Juan Soto to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract

The word "METS" is an acronym for "New York Mets" in English. The hint is referring to the New York Mets, as they signed Juan Soto to a record-breaking 15-year, $865 million contract.

Mess (up)

The hint "Mess (up)" is related to the word "SLIP" in English because when you mess something up, you can easily slip up or make a mistake.

Like podcasts with a studio audience, say

The hint "Like podcasts with a studio audience, say" suggests that the word "LIVE" is related to the context of a live recording or broadcast, similar to a podcast that is recorded in front of a studio audience.

In this context, "LIVE" is likely referring to the word "live" as an adjective meaning "happening now" or "being broadcast in real-time."

The word "in English" is likely a clue to the language in which the podcast or broadcast is being conducted.