NYT Mini Crossword Answers April 4, 2025

Across
1 Elphaba’s broom in “Wicked” or Aladdin’s lamp in “Aladdin”
🧹 A prop used by a magical character.
🪄 Often seen in fairy tales and stage productions.
🎭 Not a real object, but essential for the act.

5 Thorough investigation
🔍 A deep dive into the facts.
🕵️‍♂️ What detectives do to uncover clues.
🧪 A method used in scientific research.

6 Metaphor for an unquestioning rule-follower
🤖 Associated with automation and conformity.
📋 Symbolizes a lack of independent thought.
⚙️ Like a machine programmed to obey.

7 Harvard and Yale, for two
🎓 Elite U.S. educational institutions.
🍃 Named for the ivy that covers their walls.
🏛️ Part of the prestigious Ivy League.

8 ___ Wearhouse (department store chain)
👔 A retail chain focused on men’s apparel.
🛍️ The blank is filled with a term referring to men.
👞 Commonly seen in shopping malls and fashion centers.

Down
1 Definitively determine
✔️ To establish the truth with certainty.
🧪 Essential in scientific proofs and experiments.
📏 Involves proving a concept beyond doubt.

2 Herald of spring
🐦 A bird known for its early arrival and red breast.
🌸 A classic sign that warmer weather is coming.
☀️ Often associated with nature’s renewal.

3 Orchestral reeds
🎼 Instruments in the woodwind family that use double reeds.
🎷 Commonly featured in classical music ensembles.
🎻 Essential for the unique timbre in orchestras.

4 Kibble nibblers
🐶 Refers to domesticated animals that munch on dry food.
🐱 Common household companions who rely on scheduled feeding.
🏠 Often cared for as beloved family pets.

5 Fastidiously proper
🎩 Describes someone extremely neat and formal.
👗 Associated with strict adherence to etiquette.
📏 Implies a prim, well-mannered demeanor.