40 Across

NYT Daily ? September 14, 2025

Nintendo character with a long, sticky tongue

Answer:

YOSHI

Hint:

This green dinosaur is often seen riding by Mario and can flutter jump to reach high places.

Explanation:

This clue points to Yoshi, the friendly green dinosaur from Nintendo’s Mario games. His signature move is using his long, stretchy tongue to grab enemies or fruit, which the clue highlights directly. The answer is straightforward since Yoshi is one of the most recognizable characters with that exact trait. No wordplay here—just a clear reference to his iconic ability.

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General solving tip

Match the clue's grammar: plural with plural, past with past. If the clue ends in 's' or uses a past-tense verb, mirror that form in the entry.

More tips → General Hints