Issue #599 Tue 31 Dec
Connections hints — December 31, 2024
A tidy grid to close the year, balanced with enough misdirection to keep a solver on their toes. These four groups offer a steady progression from direct associations to more nuanced wordplay.
yellow group 7 nudges
Yellow group
The train leaves in three minutes and the platform is at the far end of the station.
Physical movement
Direct synonyms
Members are 3–4 letters; first letters B, D, F.
MOVE QUICKLY
One is BOLT.
BOLT · DART · DASH · FLY
green group 7 nudges
Green group
A Friday night basement party where the music is loud enough to rattle the floorboards.
Celebratory experiences
Synonyms for positive enjoyment
Members are 4–6 letters; first letters B, K, T.
FUN TIME
One is BALL.
BALL · BLAST · KICK · THRILL
blue group 7 nudges
Blue group
The blinking cursor at the top of a blank page, waiting for a formal opening.
Correspondence structure
Words appearing at the start of letters
Members are 2–9 letters; first letters A, D, F, T.
WORDS BEFORE AN ADDRESSEE
One is ATTENTION.
ATTENTION · DEAR · FOR · TO
violet group 7 nudges
Violet group
A casual conversation where a person intentionally mentions a high-end label to establish status.
Common phrases
Words that complete a compound phrase
Members are 4–5 letters; first letters B, D, G, N.
NAME ___
One is BRAND.
BRAND · DROP · GAME · NAMES