14 Down

NYT Daily • August 23, 2025

Take a series of steps?

Answer:

DANCE

Hint:

Move rhythmically to music, often in a choreographed pattern.

Explanation:

"Take a series of steps" plays on the double meaning of "steps"—it can mean literal foot movements or a sequence of actions. In dance, you literally take steps in a pattern, so the clue cleverly hints at the word "dance" by focusing on the physical act. The question mark signals it’s a pun, not a straightforward definition, nudging you to think beyond the obvious. It’s a smooth way to turn a simple phrase into a dance-related answer.

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