Crossclimb #717 Answer – April 17, 2026
TIMELOCK
Answer
TIMELOCK
Combo Clue
“A two-word phrase for a protective device on a safe that won't open until a particular moment”
📖 How I Solved It
I tackled puzzle #717 on April 17th, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a rollercoaster. The combo clue, 'A two-word phrase for a protective device on a safe that won't open until a particular moment,' had me scratching my head for a while. I kept thinking about all sorts of security gadgets, but nothing clicked. I even went down the rabbit hole of trying to fit 'TIME' into all sorts of phrases until I finally remembered the word 'TIMELOCK.' What a relief! The Word Ladder also threw me for a loop. I got stuck on 'MIME' for longer than I should've—I thought it was a dead end. I tried guessing other words for performers, but they just wouldn't fit. Finally, I connected the dots and made my way to 'LOCK.' It’s always satisfying when it all comes together, but wow, some of those clues really made me second-guess myself!
💡 Tips for This Puzzle
- •Don't rush through the combo clue; take your time to think of related phrases.
- •For the Word Ladder, remember that you're only changing one letter at a time—keep it simple!
- •If you get stuck, try working backwards from the final word.