41 Across

NYT Daily ? September 21, 2025

"You may ___"

Answer:

BEGIN

Hint:

Think of the first word often heard at the start of a race or when someone is about to give a speech.

Explanation:

The clue "You may ___" is a straightforward fill-in-the-blank hinting at a common phrase. The answer "BEGIN" fits because it completes the familiar expression "You may begin," often used to start something like a test or speech. There’s no hidden wordplay—it’s a direct prompt relying on everyday language. The simplicity makes it easy to solve if you think of common phrases.

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General solving tip

Quoted clues often indicate a spoken phrase, interjection, or a title. Think of something you'd say out loud or see as a headline.

More tips → General Hints