Puzzle #653 • February 12, 2026
Stuck on today's Crossclimb?
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Hints first, no spoilers until you say so.
Top Word
Part of the frame
R O O T
Word 1
Escape ___ (a place to stay for an hour, or less if you are smart?)
R O O M
Word 2
Substance out of which a barista might make “latte art”
F O A M
Word 3
“The early bird catches the ___”
W O R M
Word 4
Piece of paperwork to fill out
F O R M
Word 5
Wander
R O A M
Bottom Word
Part of the frame
W O R D
Shared Frame Clue
The top + bottom rows = A two-part phrase for a unit of speech that carries its core meaning and cannot be further reduced into smaller parts. Keep in mind: The first part may be at the bottom.
Tap to reveal frame clue