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Connections Hints for February 18, 2024 #251

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for February 18, 2024 #251

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Yellow Category — February 18, 2024

Green Category — February 18, 2024

Blue Category — February 18, 2024

Purple Category — February 18, 2024

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Green group — INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE

Why is “MINestrone” in the Green group?

a thick Italian soup made with vegetables, beans, and pasta

Yellow group — EAT A LITTLE

Why is “PECK” in the Yellow group?

to eat a little or to strike with the beak

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (February 18, 2024)

Several words in today's puzzle have multiple meanings or obscure definitions that can throw you off. Here's what each one means in the context of this Connections grid.

STOCK
Definition: a flavored liquid base for soups or sauces
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a store of goods or a financial term
TRACK
Definition: to follow or pursue
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a path or a recording of music
BEANS
Definition: a type of legume
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a slang term for money or a type of coffee
POD
Definition: a small group of whales or a type of container
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a type of fruit or a type of cast

Connections #251 explained

Why these words connect (February 18, 2024)

Understanding the logic behind each group helps you spot similar patterns in future puzzles. Here's the reasoning for every category in today's Connections.

Yellow group: EAT A LITTLE

These words all describe ways of eating small amounts of food, such as snacking or nibbling.

Green group: PURSUE

These words all describe ways of pursuing or following something, such as hunting or tracking.

Blue group: INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE

These words all describe common ingredients found in minestrone soup, such as beans, pasta, and vegetables.

Purple group: ___CAST

These words all describe types of casts, such as a broad cast or a type cast.

Red herrings and trap words explained

These words were designed to mislead you. Understanding why they don't belong where you first think sharpens your game for tomorrow.

STALK

Seems like it belongs to: INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE

Actually belongs to: PURSUE

STALK can refer to a plant stem, but in this context, it means to pursue or follow

TRACK

Seems like it belongs to: INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE

Actually belongs to: PURSUE

TRACK can refer to a path or a recording, but in this context, it means to follow or pursue

POD

Seems like it belongs to: INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE

Actually belongs to: ___CAST

POD can refer to a type of container or a small group of whales, but in this context, it refers to a type of cast

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.

Why “STALK” didn't go with INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE

Seems like: INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE → Actually: PURSUE

STALK can refer to a plant stem, but in this context, it means to pursue or follow

Why “TRACK” didn't go with INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE

Seems like: INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE → Actually: PURSUE

TRACK can refer to a path or a recording, but in this context, it means to follow or pursue

Why “POD” didn't go with INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE

Seems like: INGREDIENTS IN MINESTRONE → Actually: ___CAST

POD can refer to a type of container or a small group of whales, but in this context, it refers to a type of cast

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