Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #943 hints and answers for Friday, January 9, 2026

Edited by Wyna Liu · Groups listed easiest to hardest: yellow, green, blue, purple

Connections #943 puts four groups of four on the board, running from the yellow group through to purple. For each group below: read the hint first, then show the category name when you want it, then the four words.

Group 1 - Yellow

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

THINGS THAT ARE RED

3 BALL · CARDINAL · HEART EMOJI · SOLO CUP

Group 2 - Green

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

USED IN METAPHORS FOR PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS

8 BALL · DEEP END · LIMB · THIN ICE

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

MUSICAL ARTISTS MINUS STARTING NUMBERS

6 MAFIA · CHAINZ · DIRECTION · NON BLONDES

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: These four belong together for one clean reason. If two of them pair up in your head first, let the other two confirm it.

CARDINAL DIRECTIONS WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED

COUTH · FORTH · LEST · OAST

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "For cubs fans"