Yellow group
Straightforward
Gentle hint
Someone is trying very hard to convince you they mean it.
Show one word
CROSS MY HEART belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
"I PROMISE!"
Reveal all four words
- CROSS MY HEART
- FOR REAL
- ON GOD
- PINKY SWEAR
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #1178
hints & answers for September 1, 2026
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#1178
This reference always shows September 1, 2026. It is released in at least one timezone; every answer stays closed until you reveal it.
Which group has you stuck?
Pick a colour. Reveal one step at a time.
1/4
Green group
A little trickier
Gentle hint
Picture a bundle of slender objects.
Show one word
ARROW belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER
Reveal all four words
- ARROW
- GOLF CLUB
- PICK-UP STICK
- SPAGHETTO
Blue group
More challenging
Gentle hint
These characters make a living solving other people's mysteries.
Show one word
HERCULE POIROT belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION
Reveal all four words
- HERCULE POIROT
- MIKE HAMMER
- SAM SPADE
- SHERLOCK HOLMES
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
Gentle hint
Look at the beginnings for a sense of purpose or desire.
Show one word
AIMEE MANN belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
Reveal all four words
- AIMEE MANN
- HOPE DIAMOND
- PLANETARIUM
- WISHY-WASHY
The entries begin with AIM, HOPE, PLAN and WISH.
Show categories only
- Yellow: "I PROMISE!"
- Green: LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER
- Blue: PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION
- Purple: STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
"I PROMISE!"
CROSS MY HEART · FOR REAL · ON GOD · PINKY SWEAR
Green
LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER
ARROW · GOLF CLUB · PICK-UP STICK · SPAGHETTO
Blue
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION
HERCULE POIROT · MIKE HAMMER · SAM SPADE · SHERLOCK HOLMES
Purple
STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
AIMEE MANN · HOPE DIAMOND · PLANETARIUM · WISHY-WASHY
This puzzle’s recorded solution
The date and puzzle number identify this exact board. Use the individual group controls to compare its recorded categories and words, then return to the archive to find another puzzle.
Continue from this date
About the answers and hints
Categories and answers follow the recorded NYT puzzle. Our hints are independent: some are original category clues, while others give the first letters of the four words. Each hint is labelled so you can choose how much help to take.
Group colours follow the puzzle’s yellow, green, blue and purple order, from the most straightforward to the trickiest. Your own experience may differ. The reference tiles may appear in a different order from your game. Picture puzzles have separately hidden descriptions, since a description can give away the wordplay.
The daily page starts with the UTC puzzle date and, with JavaScript enabled, checks the puzzle for your local time zone. Every reveal starts closed when the date changes. Play Connections at The New York Times or contact us about a correction.