Butterflies in the stomach (12)

Latest answer — September 08, 2026

1 Across

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Clue explained

COLLYWOBBLES means an uneasy or queasy feeling in the stomach, often caused by nervousness—hence “butterflies in the stomach.” It is a plural noun, conventionally written as one word.

Clue type:
Phrase or idiom
Illustration representing nervous butterflies or uneasiness in the stomach

Guardian Quick Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, September 08, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Butterflies in the stomach (12)
  2. 9Word indicating obligation - tough (anag.) (5)
  3. 10Antlered animal (7)
  4. 11Boar sound (4)
  5. 12Cool star (3,5)
  6. 14Maxim (6)
  7. 15Modified racer (3,3)
  8. 18Independent, financially (4-4)
  9. 20Keep mum (4)
  10. 22Discomfit (7)
  11. 23Currently running (as in a radio show) (2,3)
  12. 24Horse breaker (6-6)

Down

  1. 2Produced without use of artificial chemicals (7)
  2. 3Skating jump (4)
  3. 4Bowler's target (6)
  4. 5Opener impossible to miss? (4,4)
  5. 6African country (5)
  6. 7Antediluvian - garment worn by scarecrow? (7,5)
  7. 8Stay out of my hotel room! (2,3,7)
  8. 13Ginger relative (8)
  9. 16Rolled up cut of meat (7)
  10. 17-ly word (6)
  11. 19Argot (5)
  12. 21Heads or tails action? (4)

The answer to “Butterflies in the stomach (12)” in the The Guardian Quick crossword is COLLYWOBBLES — a 12-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 8, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 1-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Butterflies in the stomach (12)” answer

COLLYWOBBLES (12 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is COLLYWOBBLES.

What does COLLYWOBBLES mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of COLLYWOBBLES is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(noun)

  • stomach pain or queasiness

When else has “Butterflies in the stomach (12)” appeared?

The Guardian Quick reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

September 8, 2026 (most recent) → COLLYWOBBLES. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Butterflies in the stomach (12)”?

The answer is COLLYWOBBLES, a 12-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 8, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Butterflies in the stomach (12)”?

12 letters: COLLYWOBBLES.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 8, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 1-Across.

Can “Butterflies in the stomach (12)” have a different answer?

Yes — The Guardian Quick sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Guardian Quick answers?

The full grid for September 8, 2026 is on the Guardian Quick answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Guardian Quick Crossword is published by The Guardian; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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