what goes up must come down nyt crossword

Natashya

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02-02-2025

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What Goes Up Must Come Down: Unraveling the NYT Crossword Clue

The New York Times crossword puzzle, a daily brain teaser for millions, often presents cryptic and challenging clues. One such clue that has likely stumped many solvers is "What goes up must come down." While seemingly straightforward, this clue requires a bit more thought than a simple, literal answer. Let's delve into the potential solutions and the reasoning behind them.

Potential Answers and Their Logic

The most obvious answer that springs to mind is ROCKET. Rockets are explicitly designed to go up, soaring into the atmosphere, before inevitably falling back to Earth (or, more accurately, burning up upon re-entry). This is a strong contender due to the inherent physics involved and the common association of rockets with upward motion.

Another possible solution, and perhaps a more nuanced one, is ELEVATOR. Elevators, or lifts, move vertically, ascending and descending within a building. The clue's phrasing perfectly encapsulates their cyclical movement. While less dramatic than a rocket, it fits the logic of the clue.

Finally, let's consider AIRPLANE. While not always moving strictly "up," airplanes initially ascend to reach cruising altitude before eventually descending for landing. This makes it a slightly less precise but still plausible solution.

Why the Clue is Tricky

The clue's effectiveness lies in its deceptive simplicity. It plays on a well-known adage, prompting solvers to consider physical objects and their trajectories. The trick is to think beyond the immediate, literal interpretation and consider the overall movement pattern of different objects. This requires a blend of literal understanding and creative problem-solving.

Beyond the Obvious: Considering Context

The specific answer to "What goes up must come down" often depends on the crossword's overall difficulty and the surrounding clues. The length of the answer space will further narrow the possibilities. Therefore, a solver should always consider the surrounding clues and the available letter counts before selecting a final answer.

Solving Strategies for Similar Clues

The best approach to solving similar cryptic crossword clues is to:

• Think literally, then figuratively: Start with the most straightforward interpretations. Then, explore more abstract meanings and associations.
• Consider wordplay: Cryptic crosswords often utilize puns, anagrams, and other wordplay techniques.
• Look for synonyms and related words: Explore words that share a similar meaning or are closely associated with the clue's words.
• Use the process of elimination: Once you have a few potential solutions, use the available letter counts and cross-checking with other answers to narrow down the possibilities.

In conclusion, the clue "What goes up must come down" cleverly uses a familiar phrase to test a solver's ability to think creatively and consider multiple solutions. By applying the strategies outlined above, you'll be well-equipped to tackle similar cryptic clues in future New York Times crosswords and other puzzle solving endeavors.