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.

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