Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,180 hints and answers for Thursday, September 3, 2026

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

Connections #1,180 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: These four belong together for one clean reason. If two of them pair up in your head first, let the other two confirm it.

TWO SHAKES OF A LAMB'S TAIL

BLINK · FLASH · HEARTBEAT · TRICE

Group 2 - Green

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

SHADES OF RED

CARMINE · CINNABAR · MAROON · VERMILLION

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.

TOY CAR BRANDS

HOT WHEELS · MATCHBOX · MICRO MACHINES · TONKA

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.

SPREADSHEET FUNCTIONS

AVERAGE · COUNT · MAX · SUM

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "Hike!"