14 Across
NYT Daily • August 12, 2025
"That's rough!"
Answer:
OOF
Hint:
This sound often follows a painful mistake in video games.
Explanation:
The clue "That's rough!" hints at the answer "OOF," which is a common internet slang expression used to react to something painful, awkward, or unfortunate. It mimics the sound of someone getting the wind knocked out of them, making it a fitting response to a rough situation. The wordplay here is straightforward, relying on the casual, expressive nature of the term.