Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #989 hints and answers for Tuesday, February 24, 2026

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

Connections #989 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: Four words, one thread. Say each of the four out loud - the link is usually plainer than it looks.

CALCIUM-BASED STRUCTURES

BONES · CORAL · SHELLS · TEETH

Group 2 - Green

Hint: One thread ties these four together. It is a fair link, not a trick - think about what the words can all be or do.

SYMBOLS OF SCOTLAND

BAGPIPES · SCOTTIE · TARTAN · THISTLE

Group 3 - Blue

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.

FAMOUS PLAYWRIGHTS

CHEKHOV · COWARD · MILLER · SHAW

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: The category name leaves a blank - each of these four words fills it to make a familiar phrase.

___ BEAM

BALANCE · JIM · LASER · TRACTOR

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Just for reference"