9 Down

NYT Daily ? October 4, 2025

Assistance for short drivers?

Answer:

CARLOANS

Hint:

Think of financial help that might be needed when you're not tall enough to reach the pedals comfortably.

Explanation:

This clue plays on the double meaning of "short." For drivers who are literally short in height, a "car loan" might help them afford a vehicle with adjustable seats. But it’s also a pun—"short" hints at the financial term "loan," making "car loans" the answer. The wordplay ties the idea of assistance (a loan) to the literal and figurative need for help behind the wheel.

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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