Mini #56 — the answers

The Mini crossword from October 27, 2026: a 5×5 grid, 5 across and 5 down, filled in the order the crossings give it away.

The clues

Across

1. 1. Barbecue piece — RIB
2. 4. Notion — IDEA
3. 6. Location — PLACE
4. 8. Canyon reply — ECHO
5. 9. Egg layer — HEN

Down

1. 1. Tear — RIP
2. 2. Not in use — IDLE
3. 3. Sandy shore — BEACH
4. 5. Long, with "for" — ACHE
5. 7. A very long time — EON

The walkthrough

One way through: start at 1-Across, then let each answer feed the words it crosses — the slot with the most letters already showing is the one to fill next.

1. 1-Across, “Barbecue piece” — nothing given yet: RIB.
2. 1-Down, “Tear” — R·· from the crossings: RIP.
3. 4-Across, “Notion” — I··· from the crossings: IDEA.
4. 2-Down, “Not in use” — ID·· from the crossings: IDLE.
5. 6-Across, “Location” — PL··· from the crossings: PLACE.
6. 3-Down, “Sandy shore” — BEA·· from the crossings: BEACH.
7. 8-Across, “Canyon reply” — EC·· from the crossings: ECHO.
8. 5-Down, “Long, with "for"” — ACH· from the crossings: ACHE.
9. 9-Across, “Egg layer” — HE· from the crossings: HEN.
10. 7-Down, “A very long time” — already spelled out by its crossings: EON.

The answer

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About Mini

Mini is Noggin’s five-by-five crossword, on the second shelf: one grid a day against the clock, outside the daily line-up. How to play Mini, or play today’s.