Waking up and realizing you have zero clue why RANKLE and OTOE are sitting on the same 4x4 grid is a specific kind of morning stress. Honestly, it's enough to make you want to close the tab and go back to sleep. But we're not doing that. Today’s puzzle—#947 for Tuesday, January 13, 2026—is a bit of a mean one. It’s got that classic Wyna Liu flair where words look like they belong in three different places at once, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll burn through your four mistakes before you even find the yellow category.
If you've been refreshing your feed for nyt mashable connections hints today, you've probably seen a dozen different sites trying to explain the "vibe" of the board. I’m going to skip the fluff and just tell you how to actually beat this thing without losing your mind.
The Big Distractions in Today's Board
Look at the words. You see ELBOW and SHOULDER. Easy, right? Body parts. But then you see BOW and BOWTIE. Maybe it's things you wear? Oh, wait—there’s also CANE and TOP HAT.
This is the "red herring" trap. Wyna Liu is a master at this. She knows you're going to see "Elbow" and "Shoulder" and immediately look for "Knee" or "Toe." And while "Toe" isn't there, OTOE is. Don't fall for it. Otoe is a Native American tribe, but in this specific puzzle, its meaning is basically irrelevant. It’s all about how the word is built.
The same goes for the "pasta" trap. A lot of people see BOWTIE and WHEEL and think they're looking for Rotini or Penne. Not today. If you try to group them by "shapes," you're going to get that frustrating "one away" notification.
Quick Hints for Each Category
If you just want a nudge in the right direction without the full answer, here is the breakdown of what you're actually looking for.
- Yellow: Think about what you're doing right before a birthday party or during the holidays. You’ve got the item, but it’s not ready to be handed over yet.
- Green: This is all about physical movement. Not "gym" movement, but more like "trying to get through a crowded concert" movement.
- Blue: If you’ve ever played a board game that involves buying property and ruining friendships, you’ll recognize these items. They belong to a very specific, wealthy mascot.
- Purple: This is the wordplay category. It’s the hardest one. Forget what the words mean. Look at the sounds or the hidden words inside them. Specifically, look at the ends of the words.
Today’s Connections Groups (The "Wait, Really?" Reveal)
Sometimes seeing the category names is enough to make everything click.
Yellow: Present Go-Withs
This is the most straightforward group, though "Card" is a bit of a generic word that can fit elsewhere.
- BOW
- CARD
- GIFT WRAP
- RIBBON
Green: Jostle
These are all verbs. You’re nudging, you’re pushing, you’re trying to make space.
- ELBOW
- PRESS
- SHOULDER
- SHOVE
Blue: Accessories for Mr. Monopoly
This is where the BOWTIE and CANE finally land. It’s a very specific set of items for the guy on the box.
- BOWTIE
- CANE
- MONEYBAG
- TOP HAT
Purple: Parts of the Foot + Starting Letter
This is the one that ruins win streaks. It’s a classic "hidden word" category. If you look at the words, they contain a foot part plus one extra letter at the beginning.
- OTOE (O + TOE)
- PARCH (P + ARCH)
- RANKLE (R + ANKLE)
- WHEEL (W + HEEL)
Why Today’s Puzzle is Actually Hard
The reason people get stuck on nyt mashable connections hints today is usually the Blue/Purple overlap. WHEEL feels like it could be a Monopoly token (though the iron or the thimble are more iconic, the car has wheels). MONEYBAG feels like it could be a "gift" if you're particularly generous.
But the real kicker is OTOE. It’s such an obscure word for many players that it stands out like a sore thumb. Usually, when a word is that weird, it’s either a very specific name or part of a purple wordplay category. In this case, it’s the latter. If you see a word you don't recognize, try to see if it contains a smaller, more common word inside it.
Actionable Strategy for Tomorrow
To stop getting stuck on these, try the "Long Press" trick. Don't click anything for the first 60 seconds. Just stare at the 16 words. Write down the first three themes you see. Usually, one of those themes is a trap. If you see "Body Parts" (Elbow, Shoulder) and "Clothing" (Bowtie, Top Hat), look for the word that bridges them. BOWTIE and ELBOW both have "bow" sounds. That’s a sign that they might not be in the same group.
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Also, always look for the verbs. Most people focus on nouns because they're easier to visualize. But "Press" and "Shoulder" as actions are much more common in Connections than people realize.
Next Steps:
- Open the NYT Games app and look for the word ELBOW first.
- Group it with the other "pushy" verbs like SHOVE and PRESS to clear the green category early.
- Once those are gone, the Monopoly accessories should become much more obvious.