Crossclimb #629 Answer – January 19, 2026
NINEFIVE
Answer
NINEFIVE
Combo Clue
“Two numbers that complete the phrase “workin' ___ to ___” from a Dolly Parton song, reflecting a possible eight-hour work day”
📖 How I Solved It
I dove into puzzle #629 thinking it would be a stroll in the park, but man, did I hit a snag with that combo clue! The phrase 'workin' ___ to ___' really threw me for a loop at first. I kept thinking about all sorts of phrases before it hit me: NINE and FIVE! I felt a bit silly for not getting it sooner. I even had some wrong guesses that made no sense, like trying to plug in 'EIGHT' at one point. The word ladder wasn't too bad, though. I breezed through NONE and DONE without much fuss. DOVE and LOVE were a bit of a stretch but I figured them out after a moment. Overall, it was a fun challenge, but I definitely learned to keep my head in the game and not overthink things too much.
💡 Tips for This Puzzle
- •Keep an eye out for common phrases; they can be hidden goldmines for clues.
- •Don't hesitate to backtrack on the word ladder if something doesn't feel right.
- •Take a moment to think about the context of clues; sometimes a specific genre or artist can spark the answer.