38 Down

NYT Daily ? October 4, 2025

Safe job?

Answer:

HEIST

Hint:

Think of a high-stakes crime where the goal is to take something valuable—ironically, the word itself sounds like it should mean the opposite.

Explanation:

This clue plays on the double meaning of "safe." At first glance, it seems to ask about a secure or low-risk job, but the answer is actually "HEIST," since a heist is a robbery where thieves target a safe. The question mark signals that it’s a pun or wordplay clue, hinting you should think beyond the obvious.

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General solving tip

A question mark usually flags wordplay or a non-literal reading. Expect a pun, a twist, or a definition that's one step removed from the surface meaning.

More tips → General Hints