Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,194 hints and answers for Thursday, September 17, 2026

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

Connections #1,194 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: One thread ties these four together. It is a fair link, not a trick - think about what the words can all be or do.

ELASTICITY

BOUNCE · FLEXIBILITY · GIVE · SPRING

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.

THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND

MINE SHAFT · SEWER LINE · SUBWAY STATION · WELL

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.

HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"

FOUNTAIN · PRESTIGE · SHEEP DETECTIVES · WOLVERINE

Group 4 - Purple

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

LOVE ___

HANDLES · LANGUAGE · TAP · TRIANGLE

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "A little comic relief"