___ the rails (out of control)

Latest answer — July 29, 2026

1 Down

Like a runaway train, it’s completely out of control 🚂

Scroll down for rest of crossword answers

NYT Midi Crossword

This clue's Wednesday, July 29, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Chewy yogurt mix-in
  2. 4PC port type
  3. 7Snorkeling gear, informally ... or levers in a 25-Across machine (and depicted at the bottom of this grid!)
  4. 10___ Mac ("Rumours" band)
  5. 12Devises, as a plan
  6. 14Penne ___ vodka
  7. 17"Jurassic Park" actor Sam
  8. 18Big name in condiments
  9. 20Film franchise with "Black Widow" and "Black Panther," for short
  10. 21Meat in a croque-monsieur
  11. 22Emergency allergy treatment device
  12. 25Classic arcade game visually depicted in this puzzle
  13. 27Give a jump scare, say
  14. 28Neon or xenon

Down

  1. 1___ the rails (out of control)
  2. 2Every bit
  3. 3Overtime preceder
  4. 4Until
  5. 5Attach, as a button
  6. 6In need of cash
  7. 8Nut in some sticky-sweet pies
  8. 9"Piece of cake!"
  9. 11___ de leche (Latin American confection)
  10. 13Plumber's tool ... or a pull-and-release rod in a 25-Across machine
  11. 14Massage moan
  12. 15Jumps
  13. 16Word after "speed" and "data"
  14. 19Animal whose stripes are believed to deter biting insects
  15. 23Butter units
  16. 24Unwell
  17. 26Pester incessantly

The answer to “___ the rails (out of control)” in the New York Times Midi crossword is OFF — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 29, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle, at 1-Down. 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.

“___ the rails (out of control)” answer

OFF (3 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 OFF.

Why the answer is OFF

Like a runaway train, it’s completely out of control 🚂

What does OFF mean?

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

(adverb)

  • away from the place in question; to or at a distance
  • so as to be removed or separated
  • starting a journey or race; leaving

When else has “___ the rails (out of control)” appeared?

New York Times Midi 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.

July 29, 2026 (most recent) → OFF. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “___ the rails (out of control)”?

The answer is OFF, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 29, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “___ the rails (out of control)”?

3 letters: OFF.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 29, 2026 (a Wednesday puzzle), at 1-Down.

Can “___ the rails (out of control)” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times Midi 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 NYT Midi answers?

The full grid for July 29, 2026 is on the NYT Midi answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

New York Times Midi Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

Crossword Clues

Looking up a clue? Jump into today's answers and clue help from top puzzles.