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Connections Hints for February 17, 2025 #616

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 17, 2025 #616

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Yellow Category — February 17, 2025

Green Category — February 17, 2025

Blue Category — February 17, 2025

Purple Category — February 17, 2025

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Blue group — BOWLING RESULTS

Why is “TURKEY” in the Blue group?

three consecutive strikes in bowling

Purple group — ___FISH

Why is “SWORDFISH” in the Purple group?

a large, fast-swimming fish with a sword-like bill

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (February 17, 2025)

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.

BREAK
Definition: a pause or interruption
Why it's tricky: can also refer to breaking an object
CURVE
Definition: a curved shape or path
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a curve in statistics or a curveball in sports
STRIKE
Definition: a score of three points in bowling
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a labor strike or a strike in baseball
SWORD
Definition: a type of fish
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a sword as a weapon

Connections #616 explained

Why these words connect (February 17, 2025)

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: TIME OFF

These words all relate to taking time off or pausing from work or daily activities, such as taking a break or going on vacation.

Green group: FOLLOW A MEANDERING COURSE

These words all describe moving in a winding or curved path, such as a snake slithering through the grass or a road that winds through the mountains.

Blue group: BOWLING RESULTS

These words all relate to scores or achievements in the sport of bowling, such as getting a strike or a spare.

Purple group: ___FISH

These words all describe types of fish, such as a goldfish or a swordfish.

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.

BREAK

Seems like it belongs to: FOLLOW A MEANDERING COURSE

Actually belongs to: TIME OFF

BREAK can refer to a pause or interruption, but also to a broken object or a curve in a path

CURVE

Seems like it belongs to: TIME OFF

Actually belongs to: FOLLOW A MEANDERING COURSE

CURVE can refer to a curved shape or path, but also to a curve in statistics or a curveball in sports

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

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

Why “BREAK” didn't go with FOLLOW A MEANDERING COURSE

Seems like: FOLLOW A MEANDERING COURSE → Actually: TIME OFF

BREAK can refer to a pause or interruption, but also to a broken object or a curve in a path

Why “CURVE” didn't go with TIME OFF

Seems like: TIME OFF → Actually: FOLLOW A MEANDERING COURSE

CURVE can refer to a curved shape or path, but also to a curve in statistics or a curveball in sports

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