53 Across

NYT Daily ? September 26, 2025

Sign before picking up

Answer:

ORDERHERE

Hint:

Look for the two-word instruction you might see at a takeout window or drive-thru lane before collecting your meal.

Explanation:

This clue plays on the idea of a sign you’d see before grabbing something, like at a fast-food counter or pickup window. "Sign" hints at a word that’s literally a sign, while "before picking up" suggests the answer is what you’d read right before collecting your order. The answer, "ORDERHERE," combines "order" (what you place) and "here" (where you do it), forming a common instruction seen on signs. It’s a straightforward charade where the clue’s wording directly mirrors the answer’s meaning.

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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