**The Mini: A Fun and Quick Overview of The New York Times Crossword**

[The Mini](https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini) serves as a condensed version of *The New York Times*’ renowned daily crossword. In contrast to the classic crossword, which presents a more demanding challenge requiring time and expertise, The Mini offers a quicker, more enjoyable experience.

With only a handful of clues to decipher, The Mini often turns into a race against time for its participants. Nevertheless, running into a challenging clue can interrupt the momentum and incite frustration. If you hit a roadblock, don’t fret — similarly to [Wordle](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-december-23-2024) and [Connections](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-december-23-2024), we’re here to assist.

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### Clues and Answers for The Mini (Monday, December 23, 2024)

#### **Across**
– **Character who’s blue in the face?**
**Answer:** **Smurf**

– **Mideast country extending from Saudi Arabia**
**Answer:** **Qatar**

– **Untie, as a knot**
**Answer:** **Untie**

– **Negotiator for an author**
**Answer:** **Agent**

– **Rival of a Labourite in British politics**
**Answer:** **Tory**

[**SEE ALSO:**](https://games.mashable.com/) [Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Explore games on Mashable](https://games.mashable.com/)

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#### **Down**
– **What catchers perform behind home plate … or a term that may describe their physique**
**Answer:** **Squat**

– **Tropical fruit used in a sweet salsa**
**Answer:** **Mango**

– **To express aloud**
**Answer:** **Utter**

– **Typical weather in the Pacific Northwest**
**Answer:** **Rainy**

– **Bar on a guitar’s neck**
**Answer:** **Fret**

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Looking for additional puzzles? [Mashable’s games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) offers everything from Mahjong and Sudoku to free crosswords and more!

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### Featured Video: The Wordle Strategy Employed by The New York Times’ Head of Games
If you want to enhance your puzzle-solving skills, be sure to watch the featured video below for insights into Wordle strategies directly from *The New York Times*’ Head of Games.

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**Are you also trying out NYT Strands?** [Discover today’s hints and answers for Strands here.](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-december-23)

**Missed today’s Mini?** [Access the latest Mini Crossword solutions here.](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-mini-crossword-answers-hints-december-23-2024)