NYT Mini Answer for Mar 31, 2025

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Here, you'll find hints for mini crosswords, so feel free to explore and get back to solving. Good luck, and happy puzzling!

Possible words for each clue

1-Across. Call from an unknown number, often

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

CALL SPAM TEXT CALL ROAM

5-Across. Where a dog might like to be scratched

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

BACKS BELLY SPOTS HAIRS CHEST

6-Across. Look forward to

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOPEL AWAIT EXPEC LOOKE HOPIN

7-Across. Shell that can be played as a wind instrument

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE CLINK CONCH SHALT WHIST

8-Across. Patella's place

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

KNEE CUBE HIPS CASK LEGS

1-Down. Affix, as a patch

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

PATCH SEWON STICK GLUED PATCH

2-Down. Maker of connections

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

NETWO PLANE ENGIN SERVE DATAB

3-Down. One going down a literary rabbit hole?

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE ALICE FABLE READS DREAM

4-Down. "The Great Wall of China is visible from space," for one

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

SPAC MYTH VIEW HIGH FALS

5-Down. Where a human might like to be scratched

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

BACK KNEE NEED SPOT HEAD

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

Today's Answers Explained

Call from an unknown number, often

The hint "Call from an unknown number, often" is related to the word "SPAM in English" because it is a reference to the common experience of receiving unwanted or unsolicited calls from unknown numbers, often with the intention of selling or promoting something, similar to how SPAM is unwanted or unsolicited content in email inboxes.

Where a dog might like to be scratched

The word "BELLY" in English is related to the hint "Where a dog might like to be scratched" because a dog's belly is a common area where dogs like to be scratched. It is a sensitive and often ticklish spot for many dogs, and they often display pleasure and relaxation when their belly is scratched.

Look forward to

The hint "Look forward to" is related to the word "AWAIT" in English because both phrases convey a sense of anticipation or expectation of something to happen in the future.

• "Look forward to" is an idiomatic expression that means to eagerly anticipate or expect something to happen or occur in the future.
• "AWAIT" is a verb that means to wait or stay in a state of expectation for something to happen or occur in the future.

Both phrases share a common idea of expecting or anticipating something to happen in the future, making them semantically related.

Shell that can be played as a wind instrument

The word "conch" in English refers to a type of large sea snail shell. This shell can be played as a wind instrument, typically by blowing air through it to produce a sound.

Patella's place

The word "KNEE" in English is related to the hint "Patella's place" because the patella, also known as the kneecap, is located at the knee joint in the human body.

Affix, as a patch

The hint "Affix, as a patch" relates to the word "SEWON" in English because "sew" means to affix or attach something using a needle and thread, often to repair or patch something.

Maker of connections

The word "PLANE" in English can be related to the hint "Maker of connections" because a plane in aviation is a type of aircraft that connects different locations by making connections between them through air travel.

One going down a literary rabbit hole?

The hint "One going down a literary rabbit hole?" is related to the word "ALICE" in English because it refers to the main character, Alice, from Lewis Carroll's classic novel "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland". In the story, Alice falls down a rabbit hole, which is a metaphorical and literal journey into a fantastical world.

"The Great Wall of China is visible from space," for one

The relationship between the hint "The Great Wall of China is visible from space" and the word "MYTH" is that this statement is a common myth or misconception.

In reality, the Great Wall of China is not visible from space, despite its reputation as being the longest man-made structure in the world. It is only about 30 feet wide and blends in with the surrounding terrain, making it nearly impossible to see from space. This myth likely originated from a 1938 book by a German writer named Willy Ley, who wrote that the wall was visible from the moon. However, this claim has been debunked by astronauts and satellite images, which show that the wall is not visible from space.

Where a human might like to be scratched

The word "back" in English has a direct relationship with the hint "Where a human might like to be scratched." This is because the back is a common area on the human body where people often like to be scratched, especially when they have itchy skin.