Crossclimb #638 Answer – January 28, 2026
SHORELEAVE
Answer
SHORELEAVE
Combo Clue
“A two-word phrase for when a sailor is allowed off a ship to take a break on dry land”
📖 How I Solved It
I tackled puzzle #638 on January 28, 2026, and boy, did I hit a snag! The combo clue was "A two-word phrase for when a sailor is allowed off a ship to take a break on dry land," which I thought was pretty straightforward at first. But for some reason, I kept getting tripped up on the word ladder. I couldn't figure out how to get from SHORE to LEAVE without stepping on something wrong. At one point, I mistakenly put down "SHORE" and tried to go to "SCORE". That didn’t make any sense and left me scratching my head. I finally figured out that the key was to keep it simple and remember that CHORE and CHOSE would lead me down the right path. After some trial and error, I made my way to the answer: SHORELEAVE. It felt like such a relief when it all clicked together!
💡 Tips for This Puzzle
- •Try to visualize the connections between each word in the ladder.
- •Don't hesitate to write down your guesses to see what fits.
- •If you're stuck, take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes.