Welcome to our comprehensive breakdown of today's NYT Connections puzzle for Thursday, November 12. If you have not yet finished the grid, proceed with caution, as this guide contains major spoilers and direct solutions.

NYT Connections Breakdown For Thursday, November 12

Yellow Group: Expressions of Surprise

🟨 GOOD HEAVENS, GREAT SCOTT, HOLY SMOKES, JIMINY CRICKET

This category features classic vintage exclamations typically used to express sudden astonishment or shock, often serving as mild alternatives to swearing.

Green Group: Variations on Change

🟩 CHANGE PURSE, FLUX CAPACITOR, SHIFT DRESS, SWING SET

  • CHANGE PURSE starts with change
  • FLUX CAPACITOR starts with flux
  • SHIFT DRESS starts with shift
  • SWING SET starts with swing

Blue Group: Cooking Term Endings

🟦 ARCTIC CHAR, COMEDY ROAST, DOC BROWN, YOU’RE TOAST

  • ARCTIC CHAR ends with char
  • COMEDY ROAST ends with roast
  • DOC BROWN ends with brown
  • YOU’RE TOAST ends with toast

Purple Group: Best Picture Oscar Starters

🟪 GLADIATOR SANDALS, MARTY MCFLY, MOONLIGHT SONATA, ROCKY ROAD

Each term begins with the title of an Academy Award winner for Best Picture, such as Gladiator and Moonlight.

Navigating Today's Red Herrings

The primary distraction in today's puzzle involved a clever cluster of Back to the Future references. Iconic elements like GREAT SCOTT, FLUX CAPACITOR, DOC BROWN, and MARTY MCFLY easily tempted players into a false grouping. Additionally, HOLY SMOKES nearly fit among the culinary-themed terms, despite relying on a pluralized variation rather than the exact cooking method.