27 Across
NYT Daily • August 24, 2025
It can be a pain in the neck
Answer:
TONSIL
Hint:
These small masses at the back of your throat might need removal if they’re troublesome.
Explanation:
This clue plays on the double meaning of "pain in the neck." Literally, tonsils can cause throat pain when infected, making them a literal nuisance in the neck area. The phrase also works as a common idiom for something annoying, cleverly tying the medical term to everyday language.