30 Across
NYT Daily • August 23, 2025
One might be fragile
Answer:
EGO
Hint:
It’s easily bruised when pride takes a hit.
Explanation:
The word "fragile" hints at something easily broken or sensitive, which fits "ego" since people often describe someone’s self-esteem as delicate. The clue plays on the double meaning—while "fragile" usually refers to physical objects, here it’s about emotional vulnerability. It’s a clever twist because an ego isn’t literally breakable, but the idea of it being "fragile" is a common phrase.