Another Monday, another brain teaser from the New York Times! If you’re anything like me, today’s Connections puzzle probably had you feeling confident one minute… and questioning your vocabulary choices the next. April 21st’s puzzle (Game #680) delivered just the right mix of straightforward answers and sneaky curveballs.
Whether you solved it all on your own or you’re here for a nudge (or, let’s be honest, the full breakdown), here’s a run-through of today’s puzzle—explained in plain English, without the fluff.
🟨 Yellow Group – Info on a Nutrition Label
This one was probably the easiest to spot, especially if you’ve spent time reading what’s in your snacks or frozen meals.
Answers:
- Fat
- Iron
- Protein
- Sodium
If you’ve ever tried to be “just a little healthy,” you’ve seen all four of these listed right there on your food packaging. This was a pretty textbook group, and a nice warm-up for the rest of the puzzle.
Try this game- Can You Spend Bill Gates $100000000000💵
🟩 Green Group – Metaphor for Something Unexpected
Here’s where things got trickier. Some of these words felt like they belonged in completely different categories at first glance.
Answers:
- Curveball
- Bombshell
- Twist
- Wrench
Let’s break it down. A “curveball” isn’t just something you throw in baseball—it’s also something unexpected. Same goes for “twist” (think: plot twist), and “bombshell” (like shocking news). As for “wrench,” it’s not about tools this time—it’s the whole “throw a wrench in the plan” kind of thing. Together, they’re all metaphors for things that catch you off guard.
🟦 Blue Group – Things You Can Insert into a Spreadsheet
Anyone who’s ever opened Excel or Google Sheets probably smiled at this group.
Answers:
- Cell
- Column
- Row
- Sheet
These are the basic parts that make up a spreadsheet. It’s the kind of group that either jumps out at you right away… or totally blends in if you haven’t had your coffee yet. Personally, this one felt like a breather between the more abstract groups.
🟪 Purple Group – Spirals, Swirls, and Twists
Okay, this category might’ve taken a moment to click—especially since the words are pretty unrelated on the surface.
Answers:
- Corkscrew
- Spring
- Fusilli
- DNA
The connection? They’re all spiral-shaped. “Corkscrew” and “spring” might’ve been obvious, but “fusilli” (that curly pasta) and the double-helix structure of DNA? Not as easy to connect unless you were thinking in three dimensions. Once you saw the pattern, though, it was actually really satisfying.
So, How’d You Do?
If you cleared all four groups without a single mistake—go ahead and pat yourself on the back. That wasn’t a walk in the park. And if you had to swap words around a bit or even look up a hint or two? You’re in good company. These puzzles are all about seeing things from a different angle, and today’s was no exception.
What I love about Connections is that it doesn’t just test what you know—it tests how you think. The words themselves aren’t obscure, but putting them into the right boxes? That’s the challenge.
We’ll see what tomorrow brings, but until then, enjoy the win—or the learning moment—and keep those neurons firing.
Don’t forget to checkout our post Marvel Rivals Leak Reveals Summer Beach Skins, and Yes—“The Thong” is Real, Titanfall 3 Leak Claims the Game’s Nearly Done – But Should We Believe It? for more fun gaming.
