Get cranky with fatigue, maybe

NEEDANAP

["Think of what a toddler might demand when overtired—it’s a phrase that combines a common feeling with a simple solution."]

"Get cranky with fatigue, maybe" hints at the answer "NEEDANAP" by playing on the idea of being tired and irritable. The phrase "cranky with fatigue" suggests someone who’s exhausted and grumpy, which often means they need a nap. The answer is a casual, conversational way to say exactly that—written as one word for the crossword’s format.