22 Across
NYT Daily • August 16, 2025
Tied up
Answer:
ALLEVEN
Hint:
Think of a score in tennis that might also describe something knotted or bound together.
Explanation:
"Tied up" hints at something being even or level, like scores in a game. The word "all" combined with "even" gives you "ALLEVEN," playing on the idea of everything being tied (equal). It’s a clever way to turn a common phrase into a single word through wordplay.