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NYT Connections puzzle #579, published Friday, January 10, 2025, groups words about dependence, calming down, an Old Fashioned cocktail, and the Monty Hall problem. Read the hints first for a spoiler-light nudge, or skip to the full answers below.
Hints for Connections #579
Try these clues before revealing the groups:
- Yellow: “Stand by me”—words meaning or completing “be contingent on.”
- Green: “Take the pressure off”—expressions used to tell someone to calm down.
- Blue: “Classic cocktail”—ingredients in an Old Fashioned.
- Purple: “Game show brain teaser”—items featured in the Monty Hall problem.
Connections answers for January 10, 2025
Spoilers ahead: The four groups and their words are:
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Be contingent on | DEPEND, HINGE, RELY, REST |
| Green | “Calm down” | CHILL, EASY, ENOUGH, RELAX |
| Blue | Ingredients in an Old Fashioned | BITTERS, ORANGE, RYE, SUGAR |
| Purple | Featured in the Monty Hall problem | CAR, DOOR, GOAT, HOST |
Why the words fit
Yellow: Be contingent on
DEPEND, HINGE, RELY, and REST can all describe relying on or being determined by something. REST fits in the sense of “rest on,” as in a decision that rests on a particular condition.
Green: “Calm down”
CHILL, EASY, ENOUGH, and RELAX can all appear as imperatives or expressions telling someone to settle down: “Chill,” “Take it easy,” “Enough,” or “Relax.”
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Blue: Ingredients in an Old Fashioned
BITTERS, ORANGE, RYE, and SUGAR point to ingredients associated with an Old Fashioned. Rye is a whiskey option; orange, sugar, and bitters supply familiar elements of the cocktail.
Purple: Featured in the Monty Hall problem
The Monty Hall problem is framed around a HOST, a CAR hidden behind one DOOR, and GOATs behind the others. Those four words identify the puzzle’s game-show setup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Difficulty and score
The puzzle was rated Hard by the writer, who reported making 2 mistakes. That is an individual rating and score, not an official New York Times statistic.
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