NYT Daily ? September 24, 2025
Lead-in to struck or luck
Answer:
DUMB
Hint:
Think of a word that describes something silent or lacking intelligence, often paired with "blonde" in jokes. It can also precede "found" in a common phrase.
Explanation:
This clue plays on the word "dumb" as a prefix meaning mute or silent, often seen in words like "dumbstruck" (another way to say "struck" as in shocked) or "dumbluck" (a less common but playful term for luck). The "lead-in" hints at adding "dumb" before "struck" or "luck" to form those phrases. It’s a classic crossword trick where the answer isn’t a standalone word but a piece that builds familiar terms.
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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.
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