Mini Crossword August 22, 2026: Clues & Answers

Mini Crossword hints, one rung at a time

Five rungs, from grid facts to a nudge per clue. The recap above already summed the grid up, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying it fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

1. 1 Hint 1: Grid facts

   Counted off the grid.

   Grid

   7 × 7

   Clues

   7 across, 11 down

   Answer lengths

   3–7 letters

2. 2 Hint 2: Across clues, with an extra nudge each

   Open only the one you want.

   1 Across — Gets right down to business (7)

   Idiomatic phrase for getting straight to work

   8 Across — Japanese for "folding paper" (7)

   Traditional Japanese art form using paper

   9 Across — _a_er and _encil game (7)

   Classic guessing game with letters and drawing

   10 Across — "Dee-lish!" (3)

   Informal expression of deliciousness or excitement

   11 Across — Specialized (in), as in college (7)

   Academic term for specializing in a field

   15 Across — Small hair on which mascara is applied (7)

   Thin hairs around the eye, often enhanced

   16 Across — Sloppy smooch (7)

   Affectionate gesture, often messy and intimate

3. 3 Hint 3: Down clues, with an extra nudge each

   Same treatment, the other way.

   1 Down — Homer Simpson's shout (3)

   Homer Simpson's expression of surprise or shock

   2 Down — Roth ___ (3)

   Type of individual retirement account

   3 Down — Actor Diesel of the "Fast & Furious" films (3)

   Actor known for his role in the Fast franchise

   4 Down — "Sunny" part of a breakfast order (7)

   Breakfast food component, often served sunny-side

   5 Down — Warrior with a katana (7)

   Japanese warrior class, known for honor and skill

   6 Down — "Sorry, my life is all over the place right now" (7)

   Phrase expressing chaos or disorganization in life

   7 Down — Trent Reznor's rock band, to fans (3)

   Industrial rock band led by Trent Reznor

   11 Down — Call from a kitten (3)

   Sound made by a small or young cat

   12 Down — Sailor's assent (3)

   Nautical term for agreement or confirmation

   13 Down — F-16 Fighting Falcon, e.g. (3)

   Type of military aircraft, often used in combat

   14 Down — Nonfielding baseball players, for short (3)

   Baseball players who do not participate in fielding

4. 4 Hint 4: First letter of every answer

   One letter each.

   1 Across

   D… (7 letters)

   8 Across

   O… (7 letters)

   9 Across

   H… (7 letters)

   10 Across

   Y… (3 letters)

   11 Across

   M… (7 letters)

   15 Across

   E… (7 letters)

   16 Across

   W… (7 letters)

   1 Down

   D… (3 letters)

   2 Down

   I… (3 letters)

   3 Down

   V… (3 letters)

   4 Down

   E… (7 letters)

   5 Down

   S… (7 letters)

   6 Down

   I… (7 letters)

   7 Down

   N… (3 letters)

   11 Down

   M… (3 letters)

   12 Down

   A… (3 letters)

   13 Down

   J… (3 letters)

   14 Down

   D… (3 letters)

5. 5 Hint 5: Where the grid opened up

   Last rung before the filled answers.

   10 Across was the shortest entry at 3 letters, and every crossing it made handed over a free letter elsewhere.

   Open the answers, clue by clue