NYT Connections Hints for September 6, 2026 (#1277)
Game
SAT SCORE
UPC CODE
USB PORT
ATM MACHINE
CARD SLOT
BLANK CHECK
COURT SCRIBE
PIN NUMBER
DIRECTOR'S CUT
OPTICAL DRIVE
CARTE BLANCHE
HEADPHONE JACK
FREE REIN
PIZZA SLICE
LCD DISPLAY
FULL AUTHORITY
Categories
Hints by Category
UNRESTRICTED PERMISSION
Back to CategoriesFull freedom or authority to act as one sees fit
BLANK CHECK
A signed check with the amount left blank; used idiomatically to mean unlimited freedom or spending power.
CARTE BLANCHE
Borrowed from French, meaning full discretionary power; literally 'blank paper/card'.
FREE REIN
A horse-riding metaphor meaning complete freedom to act without restrictions.
FULL AUTHORITY
Complete and unquestioned power to make decisions.
PLACES TO INSERT SOMETHING INTO ON A COMPUTER
Back to CategoriesPhysical computer openings or slots for connecting/inserting hardware
CARD SLOT
An opening in a computer where an expansion card or memory card can be inserted.
HEADPHONE JACK
The audio socket on a computer where a headphone plug is inserted.
OPTICAL DRIVE
A drive/slot that accepts optical discs such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs.
USB PORT
A standardized socket where a USB cable or USB device is plugged into the computer.
ABBREVIATIONS FOLLOWED BY REDUNDANT WORD
Back to CategoriesCommon phrases that repeat an abbreviation's last word, creating a redundancy
ATM MACHINE
Automated Teller Machine machine; the M already stands for 'Machine.'
LCD DISPLAY
Liquid Crystal Display display; the D already stands for 'Display.'
PIN NUMBER
Personal Identification Number number; the N already stands for 'Number.'
UPC CODE
Universal Product Code code; the C already stands for 'Code.'
ENDING WITH WAYS TO CARVE A SURFACE
Back to CategoriesEach phrase ends with a word that can mean cutting, marking, or incising a surface: scribe, cut, slice, or score
COURT SCRIBE
The final word 'scribe' can mean to mark or cut a precise line into a surface with a pointed tool.
DIRECTOR'S CUT
The final word 'cut' means to make an incision or carve into something, although here it refers to a film version.
PIZZA SLICE
The final word 'slice' means to cut into flat pieces, a form of cutting/carving.
SAT SCORE
The final word 'score' can mean to scratch or cut lines into a surface, as in scoring wood, metal, or paper.