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Connections Hints for December 24, 2024 #561

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for December 24, 2024 #561

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Yellow Category — December 24, 2024

Green Category — December 24, 2024

Blue Category — December 24, 2024

Purple Category — December 24, 2024

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Green group — WORDS THAT SOUND LIKE PLURAL LETTERS

Why is “JAYS” in the Green group?

type of bird, also a homophone for the letter 'J'

Blue group — WHEN TRIPLED, HIT SONG TITLES

Why is “GIMME” in the Blue group?

informal term for 'give me', also a song title when tripled

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (December 24, 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.

INTIMATE
Definition: having a close relationship
Why it's tricky: can also refer to private or personal matters
CLOSE
Definition: near or adjacent
Why it's tricky: can also mean to shut or fasten
DEAR
Definition: beloved or cherished
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a high price or cost
TIGHT
Definition: firmly held or secured
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a narrow or restricted space

Connections #561 explained

Why these words connect (December 24, 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: “LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!”

These are all words from the iconic phrase 'Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!' from the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz', spoken by the character Dorothy Gale

Green group: BELOVED, AS A FRIEND

These are all words used to describe a close or intimate relationship, often used to express affection or fondness towards someone

Blue group: WORDS THAT SOUND LIKE PLURAL LETTERS

These are all words that sound like plural letters, such as 'bees' sounding like the letter 'B' when pluralized

Purple group: WHEN TRIPLED, HIT SONG TITLES

These are all words that, when tripled, form the titles of hit songs, such as 'Bills, Bills, Bills' by Destiny's Child

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.

BEES

Seems like it belongs to: “LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!”

Actually belongs to: WORDS THAT SOUND LIKE PLURAL LETTERS

although 'bees' is an animal, it belongs to the group of words that sound like plural letters, not the group of animals from 'The Wizard of Oz'

BYE

Seems like it belongs to: BELOVED, AS A FRIEND

Actually belongs to: WHEN TRIPLED, HIT SONG TITLES

although 'bye' can be a term used when parting ways with a friend, it belongs to the group of words that form hit song titles when tripled

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

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

Why “BEES” didn't go with “LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!”

Seems like: “LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!” → Actually: WORDS THAT SOUND LIKE PLURAL LETTERS

although 'bees' is an animal, it belongs to the group of words that sound like plural letters, not the group of animals from 'The Wizard of Oz'

Why “BYE” didn't go with BELOVED, AS A FRIEND

Seems like: BELOVED, AS A FRIEND → Actually: WHEN TRIPLED, HIT SONG TITLES

although 'bye' can be a term used when parting ways with a friend, it belongs to the group of words that form hit song titles when tripled

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