You’re staring at your phone, the New York Times Crossword app is open, and you’re stuck on three little squares. The clue is "Punch out, say," and for some reason, your brain just won't click into gear. It happens. Honestly, these short, punchy clues in the NYT are often way harder than the long, fancy ones because they rely so heavily on wordplay or double meanings.
The answer is LOG.
That’s it. Three letters.
But why? If you're not a tech person or a cubicle warrior, the connection might not be immediate. To "punch out" of a shift at work is to "log" out. It’s a bit of a linguistic pivot that the NYT constructors, like Joel Fagliano or Will Shortz, absolutely love to throw at you on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
Why Punch Out Say NYT is Such a Common Search
Crossword puzzles aren’t just about knowing facts; they’re about knowing how a specific editor thinks. When you see punch out say NYT as a search term, it's usually because the solver is trapped between two different definitions.
Most of us hear "punch out" and think of two things:
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- Getting into a literal fistfight.
- Physically hitting a time clock at a factory or a retail job.
The NYT likes the second one, but they abstract it. In the modern world, "punching out" has been replaced by "logging out" of a digital system. This is a classic "crossword-ese" trope where a physical action from the 1950s is used as a synonym for a digital action in 2026.
The Layers of the Clue
Crosswords use "say" or "maybe" or a question mark to indicate that the clue is an example of the answer, or that there's some punny business afoot.
"Punch out, say" uses that "say" to tell you: "Look, 'punching out' is just one way to describe this action."
If the answer was BOX, the clue would likely be more aggressive. If the answer was DIE, it might be about manufacturing. But LOG is the king of the three-letter "punch out" synonyms.
The Evolution of the NYT Crossword Clue
The New York Times has a massive database of clues used over decades. "Punch out" has appeared hundreds of times. In the old days, the answer might have been EXIT or even LEAVE.
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But as the puzzle has modernized, the clues have become more conversational. They want to trick you. They want you to think about Mike Tyson when you should be thinking about an Excel spreadsheet or a payroll app.
Actually, let's look at how this specific clue type functions across different days of the week. On a Monday, the clue might be "Punch-out record." Answer: LOG. On a Saturday, they’d make it brutal. They might say "Record of a departure?" and you'd be stuck trying to figure out if it's about a ship's manifest or a breakup song.
Other Common Answers for This Clue
While LOG is the most frequent flier for punch out say NYT, it isn't the only one. Depending on the grid size and the surrounding letters, you might be looking for:
- EXIT: This is the most literal. You punch out, you exit the building.
- DEPART: Used for longer slots, usually in Sunday puzzles.
- OFF: If the clue is "Punch out, e.g.," and the answer is only three letters, but LOG doesn't fit the crosses, check for OFF (as in "clocking off").
- KOED: If the context is boxing. To "punch out" someone is to knock them out.
The "say" in the clue is your biggest hint. It means the relationship is categorical. Punching out is a type of logging.
How to Get Better at NYT Wordplay
If you’re tired of Googling these clues, you’ve gotta start thinking in synonyms that span different eras. The NYT loves "The New Office." They love terms that bridge the gap between the Greatest Generation and Gen Z.
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"Log" is a perfect example. It's a piece of wood. It's a captain's journal. It's a digital record. It's the act of signing out of Slack.
When you see a short clue with a "say" at the end, stop thinking about the literal meaning. Instead, ask yourself: "What is this an example of?"
If the clue is "Apple, say," the answer isn't always "fruit." It could be "tech" or "computer" or "record label."
Actionable Tips for Your Next Puzzle
Don't let a three-letter word ruin your streak. The NYT Crossword is a game of patterns, and once you recognize the "Punch out = Log" pattern, you'll never miss it again.
- Check the crosses immediately: If you have an 'L' or an 'G', fill in LOG and move on. Don't overthink it.
- Watch for the 'say': Always remember that "say" means the clue is a specific example of a broader category.
- Think digital: If a clue feels like it’s about a physical action from the 20th century, try to translate it into a computer command.
- Use the NYT Wordplay blog: If you’re truly stuck, the official NYT Wordplay column breaks down the logic behind the day’s most frustrating clues. It’s a great way to learn the specific "voice" of different constructors.
The next time you're staring at punch out say NYT, just remember that the puzzle is trying to be clever, not mean. Type in LOG, get that gold star, and move on to the next one.