Clue Answer

Last edited: Mar 12, 2025

Stuck on the "Beat handily, in slang" clue from the March 12, 2025 New York Times Mini crossword? We've identified the exact 5-letter solution you need. For those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination, our interactive tools can enhance your puzzle-solving experience. Use our letter-by-letter reveal feature to gradually uncover the answer, or benefit from our thoughtfully designed hints—including anagrams, alternative clues with the same answer, and comprehensive definitions to spark your thinking. We've also simplified navigation between related clues from the same puzzle, making it easy to tackle multiple challenges at once. Whether you're a crossword novice or enthusiast, let's explore this intriguing wordplay together!

Crossword Answer:

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About This Clue

The March 12, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Beat handily, in slang" with the answer SPANK. This clue is asking for a colloquial or slang term that means to defeat someone decisively or by a large margin. In casual conversation, particularly in sports contexts, to "spank" an opponent means to win against them easily or by a significant margin. This five-letter answer demonstrates how crossword puzzles often incorporate everyday slang terms into their clues.

More About This Slang Term

The word "spank" has several meanings in English. While its primary definition relates to striking someone (usually a child) as punishment, in slang usage it has evolved to mean defeating someone decisively in a competition or game. This usage became popular in sports commentary and casual conversation about competitions. For example, someone might say "Our team really spanked the opposition last night" to indicate a decisive victory. The term adds color and emphasis to descriptions of one-sided contests and has become a common part of casual sports vocabulary.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

The New York Times Mini Crossword is a smaller, more accessible version of their famous daily crossword puzzle. Published daily, these puzzles typically take just a few minutes to complete and feature more straightforward clues than the standard crossword. For beginners, the Mini is an excellent way to build crossword-solving skills before tackling the more challenging puzzles. Regular practice with these puzzles can improve your vocabulary, pattern recognition, and general knowledge.

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