NYT Mini Answer for May 24, 2025

Happy solving!

You're doing great, and don't give up - every puzzle is a challenge, but that's what makes it fun! If you're stuck on a mini crossword, don't worry, we've got you covered. This page is here to provide helpful hints to get you back on track.

Take a deep breath, and let's break it down together. We'll offer suggestions and ideas to help you fill in those tricky clues. Remember, the goal is to have fun and learn something new along the way.

So, what's the clue that's got you stumped? Share it with us, and we'll do our best to provide a hint that will get you moving forward. Don't be afraid to ask for help - that's what we're here for. Let's solve this mini crossword together!

Possible words for each clue

1-Across. "Get a load of ___!"

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

ABLE THIS LOAD LOOK FACE

5-Across. Ability to keep one's balance on a ship

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

STABILI SEALEGS STEADIE BALANCE STABILI

8-Across. Army shirt?

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

CAMOUFL TANKTOP UNIFORM

9-Across. Chicago trains

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

RED ELS MET

10-Across. Wand-waving org.

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

TSA CAT OWL WIZ AST

11-Across. Flowers depicted in classical Chinese art

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

CHINASE PEONIES ORCHIDS PLUMIER HIBISCU

13-Across. By oneself

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE ALONE SPACE MINDS ALONE

14-Across. Phileas ___, "Around the World in Eighty Days" protagonist

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

FOGG PHIL FELL JOUR PHIL

1-Down. Something "read" in the divination method of tasseography

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

TEALEAF CUPPING CUPPING CUPPING CUPPING CUPPING

2-Down. Sci-fi hero with the line "Never tell me the odds"

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

HANSOLO WARRIOR COMMAND

3-Down. Kind

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

ILK YES KIN

4-Down. Where a story takes place

Possible 7-letter words for this clue:

LOCATIO SCENARY SETTING ENVIRON SITUATE

5-Down. Lather, rinse or repeat

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

SOAP STEP RINS SHAM WASH

6-Down. "Take a look for yourself!"

Possible 5-letter words for this clue:

HOUSE GOSEE LOOKS SEEMS GLARE

7-Down. Places to get pampered

Possible 4-letter words for this clue:

CLUB SPAS SAUN GYMS MASS

12-Down. Eggy holiday drink

Possible 3-letter words for this clue:

EGG NOG YUM

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

"Get a load of ___!"

The phrase "Get a load of ___!" is an idiomatic expression used to express surprise or astonishment at something. The blank is typically filled with a noun or a phrase that describes the thing being referred to.

The word "THIS" can be used in a similar context when the speaker is pointing to or referring to something specific in the present moment. In this case, "Get a load of THIS!" is a possible completion of the phrase, where "THIS" is the thing being referred to and the speaker is expressing surprise or astonishment at it.

Ability to keep one's balance on a ship

The word "SEALEGS" in English is related to the hint "Ability to keep one's balance on a ship" because sealegs are a temporary adaptation that some animals, especially young ones, develop when they are learning to walk on land.

When these animals, such as seals or sea lions, are born, they are not able to walk on land and often have difficulty balancing themselves. To overcome this, they develop sealegs, which are essentially flippers that they use to support their bodies and help them balance on land.

This adaptation allows them to move around on land more easily and helps them to develop the strength and balance they need to become proficient walkers.

Army shirt?

The hint "Army shirt?" is related to the word "TANKTOP" in English because a tank top is a type of sleeveless shirt that was originally worn by soldiers in the military, particularly in the army. The name "tank top" is derived from the fact that it was commonly worn by tank crew members.

Chicago trains

The hint "Chicago trains" is related to the word "ELS" in English because ELS is an abbreviation for the "Elevated Line System" in Chicago, which refers to the city's elevated train system.

Wand-waving org.

The hint "Wand-waving org." is related to the word "TSA" as it refers to the Transportation Security Administration, which is an American government agency responsible for security procedures at airports and other transportation hubs. The term "wand-waving" is a colloquialism that refers to the TSA's use of metal detectors and other security screening equipment, which can be seen as a magical or mystical process to some people.

Flowers depicted in classical Chinese art

The word "PEONIES" in English is related to the hint "Flowers depicted in classical Chinese art" because peonies are a type of flower that are often depicted in classical Chinese art. In fact, peonies are considered one of the "Four Gentlemen" flowers in Chinese art, along with plum blossoms, orchids, and chrysanthemums. They are highly valued in Chinese culture for their beauty and symbolic meaning, representing good fortune, prosperity, and a happy marriage.

By oneself

The hint "By oneself" is related to the word "ALONE" in English because both convey the idea of being solitary or separate from others.

"By oneself" is a phrase used to indicate that something is done or experienced without the help or presence of others.

"ALONE" is an adverb that means being solitary, isolated, or separate from others.

Both "By oneself" and "ALONE" convey the idea of being alone or separate from others, making them synonymous in this context.

Phileas ___, "Around the World in Eighty Days" protagonist

The relationship between the hint "Phileas ___" and the word "FOGG" in English is that the blank is filled by the surname "FOGG".

In the novel "Around the World in Eighty Days" by Jules Verne, the main character's name is Phileas Fogg.

Something "read" in the divination method of tasseography

The relationship between the hint "Something 'read' in the divination method of tasseography" and the word "TEALEAF in English" is that "tealeaf" is a homophone for "tea leaf."

In tasseography, a divination method that interprets patterns and shapes in tea leaves, the leaves are read after the tea has been consumed. Therefore, the hint is related to the word "tealeaf" because it refers to the leaves of tea that are used in the divination method of tasseography.

Sci-fi hero with the line "Never tell me the odds"

The hint "Sci-fi hero with the line 'Never tell me the odds'" refers to Han Solo, a character from the Star Wars franchise.

The word "HANSOLO" in English is a direct reference to the name of the character.

Kind

The word "ILK" in English is related to the hint "Kind" in the sense that "ILK" is a noun that refers to a type or kind of something, often used to describe a breed or variety of an animal. For example, "the wolf's ilk" means the same kind or type of wolf.

Where a story takes place

The hint "Where a story takes place" is related to the word "SETTING" in English because in literature, the setting refers to the time and place in which a story occurs. It is the context in which the plot unfolds and the characters interact. The setting can include the physical location, cultural background, social environment, and historical period in which the story takes place.

Lather, rinse or repeat

The hint "Lather, rinse or repeat" is related to the word "STEP" in English because it refers to the steps involved in washing hair or doing laundry.

• Lather: This is the first step, where soap or detergent is applied to create a rich foam.
• Rinse: This is the second step, where the soap or detergent is washed away with water.
• Repeat: This is the third step, where the process is repeated if necessary to achieve the desired cleanliness.

This sequence of actions is often referred to as a "step-by-step" process, which is where the word "STEP" comes in.

"Take a look for yourself!"

The hint "Take a look for yourself!" is related to the word "GOSEE" in English, which is a homophone for "go see".

Places to get pampered

The word "SPAS" is an acronym that stands for "Special Places for All Sorts" but in English, it is more commonly associated with "Special Places for All Services".

Eggy holiday drink

The hint "Eggy holiday drink" is related to the word "NOG" in English because a nog is a type of holiday drink that typically contains eggs, often in the form of eggnog.