NYT Mini Answer for Apr 9, 2025

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Possible words for each clue

1-Across. Word after "cheap as" or "old as"

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

DIRT RICH POOR WEAL

5-Across. Sean ___, director who won four Oscars for "Anora"

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE BAKER SPACE HOUSE STEEL

6-Across. "It's the Hard-Knock Life" musical

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE ANNIE LADLE ORATE STAGE

7-Across. Pastry at a tea shop

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

CAKEY MUFFS SCONE TARTS BISCU

8-Across. Works on a quilt, perhaps

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

SEWS PINS NEED LOOM THIM

1-Down. "Never give a sword to a man who can't ___": Confucius

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE DANCE KNOWS FIGHT HONOR

2-Down. "You don't need to tell me!"

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE KNOWS ALERT KNOWS SHOUT

3-Down. Straps for a horseback rider

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

CHEST REINS SADDL BRIDL GIRDL

4-Down. One might be shady

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

SHAD TREE SHAD SHAD SHAD

5-Down. Big Mouth Billy ___ (singing animatronic fish)

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

BASS FISH GILL LIPS ROCK

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

Word after "cheap as" or "old as"

The hint "Word after 'cheap as' or 'old as'" is related to the word "DIRT" in English because it is a common idiomatic expression.

When someone says "as cheap as dirt" or "as old as dirt," it means something is extremely cheap or extremely old. The phrase is used to convey that the price or age is very low or very high, respectively. The word "dirt" in this context is used figuratively to represent something that is worthless or of little value, or something that has been around for a very long time.

Sean ___, director who won four Oscars for "Anora"

The relationship between the hint "Sean ___, director who won four Oscars for "Anora"" and the word "BAKER in English" is that the blank space should be filled with the word "Baker".

Sean Baker is a director who won four Oscars for the film "Parasite" is incorrect, however, he did win an Oscar for "The Whale" is also incorrect.

"It's the Hard-Knock Life" musical

The word "ANNIE" in English is related to the hint "It's the Hard-Knock Life" musical because "It's the Hard-Knock Life" is a song from the 1977 musical "Annie".

Pastry at a tea shop

The word "scone" is related to the hint "Pastry at a tea shop" because a scone is a type of pastry that is traditionally served at tea shops, often with tea and other accompaniments such as jam and cream.

Works on a quilt, perhaps

The word "SEWS" is related to the hint "Works on a quilt, perhaps" because "sew" is a verb that means to join or repair things using a needle and thread, often used in sewing or quilting.

"Never give a sword to a man who can't ___": Confucius

The phrase "Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" is often attributed to Confucius, but its origin is unclear.

The phrase is likely a metaphorical expression suggesting that a person should be able to handle a situation or a challenge with finesse and agility, much like dancing.

In this context, the word "dance" is used to convey the idea of being able to move skillfully and adapt to changing circumstances, rather than a literal reference to the physical act of dancing.

The phrase is often used to convey the importance of being able to handle complex or difficult situations with ease and finesse, rather than simply relying on brute force or aggression.

"You don't need to tell me!"

The phrase "You don't need to tell me!" is related to the word "IKNOW" in English because it is a reversal of the word "I KNOW".

Straps for a horseback rider

The word "reins" in English refers to the straps or long cords used to control a horse while horseback riding. The rider holds the reins in their hands to guide the horse and steer it in different directions. The term "reins" is derived from the Old French word "reins," which means "guts" or "entrails," but in the context of horse riding, it refers to the straps used to control the horse.

One might be shady

The hint "One might be shady" is related to the word "TREE" in English because a tree can provide shade.

Big Mouth Billy ___ (singing animatronic fish)

The hint "Big Mouth Billy ___ (singing animatronic fish)" is related to the word "BASS" in English because Big Mouth Billy Bass is a well-known singing animatronic fish that sings the song "Take Me to the Top" when it detects movement. The name "Bass" is a type of fish, and in this context, it is a play on words referencing both the fish and the musical term "bass" (a low-pitched sound).