___ the rails (out of control)
Crossword Answer — July 29, 2026
NYT Midi Crossword
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
By Olivia Mitra Framke
Tap a square to reveal a letter.
Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.
NYT Midi Crossword Clues
Across
Down
Crossword clues, hints, and answers
Across
- 1. Chewy yogurt mix-in — Answer: OAT. Hint: A wholesome little topper that gives yogurt some chew 🥣
- 4. PC port type — Answer: USB. Hint: Common connector for keyboards, mice, and chargers alike 🔌
- 7. Snorkeling gear, informally ... or levers in a 25-Across machine (and depicted at the bottom of this grid!) — Answer: FLIPPERS. Hint: The foot-finned gear that makes you glide through water, and also a set of control levers in a machine. 🏊
- 10. ___ Mac ("Rumours" band) — Answer: FLEETWOOD. Hint: A legendary rock group tied to a very famous album and a speedy-sounding surname. 🎸
- 12. Devises, as a plan — Answer: COOKSUP. Hint: Cleverly whips up a scheme from scratch 🍳
- 14. Penne ___ vodka — Answer: ALLA. Hint: A classic Italian phrase that means “in the style of” this sauce pairing 🍝
- 17. "Jurassic Park" actor Sam — Answer: NEILL. Hint: He’s the actor who helped bring dinosaurs to life in a blockbuster dino adventure 🎬
- 18. Big name in condiments — Answer: HEINZ. Hint: A famous ketchup label that shows up on plenty of bottles 🍅
- 20. Film franchise with "Black Widow" and "Black Panther," for short — Answer: MCU. Hint: A blockbuster universe where heroes keep crossing paths on the big screen 🎬
- 21. Meat in a croque-monsieur — Answer: HAM. Hint: A classic salty sandwich filling that often shows up in French comfort food 🥪
- 22. Emergency allergy treatment device — Answer: EPIPEN. Hint: A pocket-sized rescue shot for sudden allergic reactions 💉
- 25. Classic arcade game visually depicted in this puzzle — Answer: PINBALL. Hint: Think silver ball, flashing lights, and flippers doing the heavy lifting 🎱
- 27. Give a jump scare, say — Answer: STARTLE. Hint: Make someone leap in surprise, like a sudden fright 😱
- 28. Neon or xenon — Answer: GAS. Hint: A common state of matter for both of these glowing elements. 💨
Down
- 1. ___ the rails (out of control) — Answer: OFF. Hint: Like a runaway train, it’s completely out of control 🚂
- 2. Every bit — Answer: ALL. Hint: As much as you can get, no less 😄
- 3. Overtime preceder — Answer: TIE. Hint: What you do before the extra period begins in some sports 🏀
- 4. Until — Answer: UPTO. Hint: A phrase meaning no later than a certain point in time or amount ⏳
- 5. Attach, as a button — Answer: SEWON. Hint: Use a needle to fasten it on 😄
- 6. In need of cash — Answer: BROKE. Hint: Short on funds and feeling the pinch 💸
- 8. Nut in some sticky-sweet pies — Answer: PECAN. Hint: A Southern pie favorite that brings a buttery crunch to the filling 🥧
- 9. "Piece of cake!" — Answer: SOSIMPLE. Hint: A breezy way to say something is very easy. 🍰
- 11. ___ de leche (Latin American confection) — Answer: DULCE. Hint: A sweet treat with a caramelized vibe from Latin America 🍮
- 13. Plumber's tool ... or a pull-and-release rod in a 25-Across machine — Answer: PLUNGER. Hint: A handy tool that clears clogs, and the same name fits that springy rod in a vending machine. 🪠
- 14. Massage moan — Answer: AHH. Hint: The sound you make when the knots finally give way 😌
- 15. Jumps — Answer: LEAPS. Hint: A word for springing up or making a big bound forward 🐇
- 16. Word after "speed" and "data" — Answer: LIMIT. Hint: A common word for a set boundary fits neatly after both “speed” and “data.” 🚧
- 19. Animal whose stripes are believed to deter biting insects — Answer: ZEBRA. Hint: A black-and-white grazer with a famously flashy coat that may help keep pests at bay 🦓
- 23. Butter units — Answer: PATS. Hint: Small portions of dairy often measured by the spoonful or spread on toast 🧈
- 24. Unwell — Answer: ILL. Hint: Feeling under the weather and not quite right 🤒
- 26. Pester incessantly — Answer: NAG. Hint: Keep bothering someone until they cave 😏
The answer to “___ the rails (out of control)” in the New York Times Midi crossword is OFF — a 3-letter word. This clue ran in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 29, 2026, a Wednesday puzzle, at 1-Down. If it's the entry standing between you and a clean grid, that's the word you need — and below you'll find why it fits, plus links to the day's other clues if more than one square is giving you trouble.
“___ 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 🚂
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 before, and what the answer was each time — handy if you landed here from a puzzle on another date.
July 29, 2026 (this puzzle) → OFF. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.
More clues from the NYT Midi Crossword on July 29, 2026
Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.
- Chewy yogurt mix-in → OAT
- Snorkeling gear, informally ... or levers in a 25-Across machine (and depicted at the bottom of this grid!) → FLIPPERS
- ___ Mac ("Rumours" band) → FLEETWOOD
- Every bit → ALL
- Overtime preceder → TIE
- PC port type → USB
- Until → UPTO
- Attach, as a button → SEWON
Want every clue in one place? The full New York Times Midi answer list for July 29, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Midi answers are always one tap from the today page.
About the NYT Midi Crossword
The New York Times Midi is the mid-size daily puzzle between the Mini and the full crossword — typically a 7×7 grid that still rewards quick pattern recognition. Because the Midi is compact, one stubborn clue can jam the whole solve, which is why a confirmed answer and a short explanation help most when you're stuck on a single square.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “___ the rails (out of control)”?
The answer is OFF, a 3-letter word. It 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.
Where did this clue appear?
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.