Word before "one's losses" or "both ways"

Editorially verified for the Oct 13, 2026

63 Down

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A path splitting in two directions, evoking something that can cut both ways.

Clue explainedFact checked

CUT completes two familiar phrases: “cut one’s losses,” meaning to stop a failing effort before losing more, and “cut both ways,” meaning to have two opposing effects or apply in two directions.

Clue type:
Cross-reference

NYT Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, October 13, 2026 appearance

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The answer to “Word before "one's losses" or "both ways"” in the New York Times crossword is CUT — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 13, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 63-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.

“Word before "one's losses" or "both ways"” answer

CUT (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 CUT.

What does CUT mean?

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

(verb)

  • make an opening, incision, or wound in (something) with a sharp-edged tool or object
  • divide into pieces with a knife or other sharp implement
  • make or form (something) by using a sharp tool to remove material

When else has “Word before "one's losses" or "both ways"” appeared?

New York Times 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.

October 13, 2026 (most recent) → CUT. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Word before "one's losses" or "both ways"”?

The answer is CUT, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on October 13, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Word before "one's losses" or "both ways"”?

3 letters: CUT.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on October 13, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 63-Down.

Can “Word before "one's losses" or "both ways"” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times 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 Crossword answers?

The full grid for October 13, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

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

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