Puzzle #870 • September 17, 2026
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Hints first, no spoilers until you say so.
Top Word
Part of the frame
H A R D
Word 1
“Hit the nail on the ___”
H E A D
Word 2
Make warm
H E A T
Word 3
Gathering or celebration (often used as a suffix, as after Oktober)
F E S T
Word 4
Group of cattle
H E R D
Word 5
Impressive achievement requiring a fair amount of skill
F E A T
Bottom Word
Part of the frame
F A S T
Shared Frame Clue
The top + bottom rows = Two words that complete the idiom “a ___ and ___ rule” meaning something that is fixed and cannot easily be changed. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.
Tap to reveal frame clue