NYT Connections Hint - September 19, 2025

Hey puzzle friends! 🌟 So, today’s Connections challenge had me grinding my gears a bit! I mean, with words like 'mascara' and 'sweat,' I felt this challenge was more about my morning routine than anything else. But hey, I eventually connected the dots and it turned out to be a blast! Who knew a simple game could bring back all those moments of anxiety before a big date or testing my makeup skills (or lack thereof)? Let’s dive into the puzzle!

Word Explanations

• TIGER

  • A tiger is a magnificent creature known for its impressive stripes and strength. Fun fact: they're the largest cat species in the world! 🐅 Just thinking about their grace and power makes me want to take a trip to the zoo! Mind you, the last time I tried to impress my friends with my tiger facts, they ended up wanting to go on a safari instead!

• NOSE

  • The nose—our trusty little sniffer! It's probably the most underrated of our senses. Remember the last time something crawled up your nose during springtime pollen? Yikes! My allergy meds were a literal lifesaver. Just the thought has my nose a-tingling! 🤧

• MASCARA

  • Mascara is that magical potion we dab on our lashes to accentuate our eyes. But who hasn’t had a mascara mishap? You know, the kind where you get that dreaded panda effect? 🙈 It’s all fun and games until you realize you forgot to check your reflection in the mirror!

• PACE

  • Pace is all about how fast or slow we do things. Like when you’re nervously waiting for the results of a race, and you can’t stop shifting your weight. It’s almost like a dance move gone wrong! I often find myself pacing before big presentations too—you know, just trying to channel that nervous energy into something productive! 💃

• RATE

  • Rate is a measure of judgment, like giving stars to a restaurant on Yelp. I once gave a restaurant one star because the waiter didn’t bring my bread roll—ouch! But, I guess we all have different standards. Are you a strict rater or a generous one? 🤷‍♂️

• BLUSH

  • Blush can refer to the rosy color on your cheeks or the action of feeling embarrassed. Sometimes my cheeks feel like they’re doing a permanent blush—especially after awkward interactions. So, quick tip: If you’re ever caught in an embarrassing moment, just pretend it’s part of the act! 😅

• DYE

  • Dye is that fun way to transform your hair or fabric. I remember the first time I dared to go cherry red. Let’s just say the results were... memorable! Ever tried a new dye and got more than you bargained for? Talk about a dye-saster!

• CLIP

  • A clip is a handy little tool for holding things together. I often forget where I've placed my clips and find them in the most unexpected places. Like my pocket, right when I'm about to leave the house—classic me! 🎀

• SWEAT

  • Sweat is what happens when we’re either super hot or working out. It’s a natural response, but boy does it ever catch up with you during an intense workout! Did I just sweat through my shirt, or is that just a badge of honor? Speaking of which, my gym routine could use some serious help!

• TOWEL

  • A towel is that wonderfully versatile item we all have in our homes. It’s there for drying off after a shower, or catching all the spills. I always carry a travel towel— you never know when a surprise splash might happen! 🧖‍♀️

• SCORE

  • Score usually refers to the number of points in a game, but ever thought about how it can mean something more? Like scoring that last piece of pizza? Absolute victory! 🍕 What do you think is the best score you’ve ever gotten?

• TRAIL

  • Trail can refer to a path or track, like those we walk on during hikes. Ah, the beauty of nature, right? I remember wandering on a trail once and ended up right beside a family of deer. It was like witnessing a scene straight from a fairytale! 🌲🦌

• RANK

  • Rank is all about positioning, whether it’s in a game or in your workplace. Do you remember ranking your friends when you were kids? That was a fun but precarious game! The real question is, where do you rank on that list now? 😆

• FIDGET

  • Fidgeting is that cute habit of moving your body subconsciously, usually when you’re nervous or bored. My go-to fidget? Tapping my foot to my playlists—does that count? Whether it’s doodling or twirling my hair, I’ve got a talent for distraction! 🎶

• STOCKINGS

  • Stockings are the elegant companions to any outfit, but we all know one wrong step and—hello, runner! My grandmother always said it was good luck if you ran your stockings—hilarious, right? 😅 It definitely was a talking point at family gatherings!

• GRADE

  • Grade refers to the evaluation of performance, like how we judge everything from school tests to annual reviews at work. Ah, the pressure of grades! Did anyone else ever get anxious while waiting for report cards? They felt more intense than any surprise quiz!

Theme Hints

1. EXHIBIT NERVOUSNESS

   • When you’re feeling jittery or anxious, these terms might just be the perfect descriptors!

2. EVALUATE

   • Think about how we judge or assess things, from grades in school to your movie ratings on Netflix.

3. THINGS THAT CAN RUN, ANNOYINGLY

   • Consider those things that keep leaving you in a messy situation—yup, that’s right!

4. PAPER ___

   • What are those essential items that help keep our papers in check? Think stationery!

Answers Explanation

Today was another whirlwind of wordplay! I didn’t think I’d nail those categories, especially the 'annoyingly running' ones. Can you believe how clever they are? What a wild ride! Can't wait to see you tackle the next challenge! Until then, keep those brains buzzing! 💫