NYT Mini Answer for Apr 21, 2025

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You're doing great, and don't give up - every clue is a step closer to a satisfying "aha" moment. Mini crosswords can be challenging, but that's what makes them so rewarding.

If you're stuck, don't worry, we've got you covered. This page is here to provide helpful hints for mini crossword puzzles. From subtle wordplay to clever clues, we'll guide you through the process.

Take a deep breath, and let's tackle that puzzle together. Remember, it's okay to take your time and think outside the box. The solution is within reach, and with a little patience and persistence, you'll be solving like a pro in no time.

So, what's the puzzle you're working on? Share the clue that's got you stumped, and we'll do our best to provide a helpful hint to get you back on track.

Possible words for each clue

1-Across. What the beaklike teeth of a parrotfish are used to bite

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE CORAL BRUSH CLAWS SCABS

6-Across. On top of

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE ABOVE STAND TOPIC SPACE

7-Across. Noodle soup with "tonkotsu" and "shoyu" varieties

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

TONKO RAMEN SHOYU JAPAN SOYSA

8-Across. Sharp as a tack

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE SHARP SMART STEEL ACUTE

9-Across. "___ questions?"

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

YES ANY HOW

1-Down. Dealership choices

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

TRUC CARS USED LEAS SALE

2-Down. His presidential center is being built on Chicago's South Side

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE OBAMA CLINT BUILD CHICA

3-Down. Like Caesar and Cicero

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

SENAT ROMAN ORATO TRIBU LEGIO

4-Down. Tex ___, animator who drew Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE AVERY ANIMA

5-Down. Gave for a short time

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

HIRE LENT USED HOLD RENT

Based on the hints provided, have you managed to deduce the solution? If you're still unable to come up with an answer, please refer to the options listed below.

Today's Answers Explained

What the beaklike teeth of a parrotfish are used to bite

The relationship between the hint and the word "CORAL" is that the beaklike teeth of a parrotfish are used to bite coral.

On top of

The relationship between the hint "On top of" and the word "ABOVE" in English is that they are synonymous.

"ABOVE" is an adverb or preposition that indicates a position higher than something else, while "On top of" is a phrase that also conveys the idea of being higher or situated above something else.

In many cases, "ABOVE" and "On top of" can be used interchangeably in sentences to convey the same meaning. For example:

• The bird flew ABOVE the tree.
• The bird flew ON TOP OF the tree.

Both sentences convey the same idea of the bird being higher than the tree.

Noodle soup with "tonkotsu" and "shoyu" varieties

The hint "Noodle soup with 'tonkotsu' and 'shoyu' varieties" is related to the word "RAMEN" in English because "Ramen" is a type of Japanese noodle soup dish.

• "Tonkotsu" is a type of Ramen broth made from pork bones, which is a popular variety of Ramen.
• "Shoyu" is a type of Ramen broth made from soy sauce, which is another well-known variety of Ramen.

The word "Ramen" is often used in English to refer to this type of Japanese noodle soup dish, which typically consists of a rich broth, wheat noodles, and various toppings.

Sharp as a tack

The phrase "Sharp as a tack" is an idiomatic expression that means being very intelligent, perceptive, or mentally acute.

The word "SMART" in English is an acronym that stands for "Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology." However, in a broader sense, "smart" can also imply being intelligent, clever, or having a high level of mental acuity.

The relationship between the phrase "Sharp as a tack" and the word "SMART" lies in the fact that both convey the idea of being intelligent, perceptive, or mentally sharp. The phrase "Sharp as a tack" uses a metaphor to describe someone who is mentally acute, while the word "SMART" uses a more literal interpretation of the concept of being intelligent or perceptive.

"___ questions?"

The relationship between the hint ""___ questions?" and the word "ANY" in English is that they are an example of a question tag.

In English, a question tag is a phrase that is added to the end of a statement to turn it into a question. It is often used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener.

In this case, the phrase "___ questions?" is a question tag that is asking if there are any questions. The blank space is typically filled with the word "any" to form the complete question tag "any questions?"

Dealership choices

The hint "Dealership choices" is related to the word "CARS" in English because a dealership typically sells cars. The word "CARS" is an acronym for "Cars, Automobiles, Roadsters, and Sports" but in this context, it is more likely referring to the common noun "car" which is a type of vehicle.

His presidential center is being built on Chicago's South Side

The hint "His presidential center is being built on Chicago's South Side" is related to the word "OBAMA" because it refers to Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.

Like Caesar and Cicero

The hint "Like Caesar and Cicero" is related to the word "ROMAN" in English because both Caesar and Cicero were prominent figures in ancient Rome.

Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, orator, and philosopher who was known for his exceptional oratory skills and his writings on politics and philosophy.

The hint is drawing a parallel between the two historical figures and the word "ROMAN", implying that the word "ROMAN" is associated with ancient Rome, just like Caesar and Cicero.

Tex ___, animator who drew Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck

The word "AVERY" is related to the hint "Tex ___, animator who drew Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck" because the correct answer is "AVERY".

Tex Avery was an American animator, cartoonist, and film director who worked at Warner Bros. Cartoons, where he created many iconic Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

Gave for a short time

The word "LENT" in English is related to the hint "Gave for a short time" because "lent" is the past tense of the verb "to lend", which means to give something temporarily for use by someone else.