Today’s NYT Mini: Put, Putt, Putty

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It’s June 15.

You’re stuck. Or maybe just looking for the answers before you solve it, which is honest enough. Click around, get the Wordle or Connections fixes first, then tackle this little grid. It’s a fun one, mostly because of a linguistic trick. Look at 1-A, 4-A, and 5-A. They’re all the same word, basically. Just dressed differently. 1-D and 2-D join the party too.

If you need help later, scroll down for tips. But let’s just get through it.

The Acrosses

1A. Postponed, with “off”

Answer: PUT. Simple.

4A. Mini-golf stroke

Answer: PUTT. See the pattern yet?

5A. Silly ___ (classic toy)

Answer: PUTTY. The theme reveals itself quickly, don’t let it fool you.

6A. Syndicate of drug dealers

Answer: CARTEL. Standard crossword vocabulary.

7A. “Inside Out” emotion whose head bursts into flame

Answer: ANGER. The orange kid. He gets mad, things catch fire.

8A. Corona or Coors

Answer: BEER. Yes.

The Downs

1D. Aimlessly spend time around the home

Answer: PUTTER. Like golf.

2D. Say

Answer: UTTER. You say a thing.

3D. Texter’s sign-off

Answer: TTYL. Talk To You Later. Classic.

4D. Completely get rid of

Answer: PURGE.

5D. Window section

Answer: PANE. Glass divided by mullions.

Note: If you’re stuck on any other puzzles—Connections Sports Edition, Strands, whatever—CNET has a dedicated hints page. Check there before you cheat completely.

Did you catch the putter pun? Maybe not immediately. The grid is small but tricky when it wants to be.

Next time might be harder.