___ Madness (annual event that hints at 1-Down) nyt crossword clue

To tackle the clue "___ Madness (annual event that hints at 1-Down)", we can break it down: 1. **Understanding the clue structure**: The clue is a fill-in-the-blank type, suggesting that the answer is a phrase or word commonly associated with the term 'Madness.' Since it mentions an "annual event," we're likely looking for a specific event that has "Madness" in its name. 2. **Identifying possible themes**: A well-known event that fits this description is "March Madness," which refers to the NCAA basketball tournament held each March in the United States. It's often used informally to refer to the excitement that surrounds the tournament. 3. **Hinging on the mention of "1-Down"**: The clue implies that the answer to this clue might relate thematically or contextually to whatever the solution for 1-Down might be. However, since we don't have the specific letters or the clue for 1-Down, we'll focus on what we’ve got. Given all this analysis, the most likely answer to "___ Madness" is **"March."** ### Tips for Solving Crossword Clues: - **Context Clues**: Look for hints within the crossword puzzle itself. If you have some letters already filled in, they can often help narrow down possibilities. - **Common Phrases**: Many clues involve well-known phrases or events. Knowledge about pop culture, sports, historical events, and expressions can be beneficial. - **Wordplay**: Sometimes clues involve puns, anagrams, or double meanings, so keep those in mind as you consider your options. - **Filling in Known Letters**: If you have any letters from intersecting words, use them to filter possibilities. - **General Knowledge**: Familiarizing yourself with common themes—like sports events, holidays, or notable figures—can be incredibly helpful. If you have any additional intersecting letters or the actual clue for 1-Down, feel free to share, and I can help you further refine the answer!