Twiddles one’s thumbs WSJ Crossword Clue

By Narcissa Kh / September 9, 2025

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Crossword Answer

1 ? I

2 ? D

3 ? L

4 ? E

5 ? S

Hint

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Hint 1

hint

Reveal Hint

Think about what you do when waiting around with nothing to occupy your time.

Hint 2

meaning

Reveal Hint

To idle means to spend time doing nothing or being inactive.

Hint 3

explanation

Reveal Hint

The phrase 'twiddles one's thumbs' is an idiomatic expression meaning to do nothing or to be inactive, which directly relates to the word '?????.' When someone is idling, they are not engaged in any productive activity, similar to the act of twiddling thumbs.

Hint 4

another clue

Reveal Hint

Runs while standing still, Keeps the engine on while parked, Slacks off, Sits on one's hands, Gets zero m.p.g., say

Clue Analysis

The clue “Twiddles one’s thumbs” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated September 9 2025, the definitive 5-letter answer is: IDLES.

Expert Tip: When you’re stuck, try to analyze the structure of the clue itself. Is it a direct definition, a pun, a fill-in-the-blank, or a pop culture reference? Identifying the type of clue you’re dealing with is a key skill for improving your solving speed.

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Your Questions, Answered by Experts.

At Daze Puzzle, we understand that every clue is a puzzle within a larger puzzle. Our team of dedicated human experts and puzzle lovers solves these challenges daily to help you succeed. Below, we answer common questions about this specific clue.

A: The most common and recent 5-letter answer for "Twiddles one’s thumbs" is IDLES.

A: The phrase 'twiddles one's thumbs' is an idiomatic expression meaning to do nothing or to be inactive, which directly relates to the word 'idles.' When someone is idling, they are not engaged in any productive activity, similar to the act of twiddling thumbs.

A: This clue was last seen in the WSJ Crossword on September 09, 2025.

A: To idle means to spend time doing nothing or being inactive.

A: Runs while standing still, Keeps the engine on while parked, Slacks off, Sits on one's hands, Gets zero m.p.g., say

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Twiddles one’s thumbs WSJ Crossword Clue

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Clue Analysis

Your Questions, Answered by Experts.

Q1: What is the most likely answer for the crossword clue "Twiddles one’s thumbs"?

Q2: Why is "IDLES" the answer to the clue "Twiddles one’s thumbs"?

Q3: In which puzzle was the clue "Twiddles one’s thumbs" last seen?

Q4: What does the word "IDLES" mean in this context?

Q5: What are some other crossword clues that share the same answer?

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Twiddles one’s thumbs WSJ Crossword Clue

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WSJ Crossword September 9 2025 Answers

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Clue Analysis

Your Questions, Answered by Experts.

Q1: What is the most likely answer for the crossword clue "Twiddles one’s thumbs"?

Q2: Why is "IDLES" the answer to the clue "Twiddles one’s thumbs"?

Q3: In which puzzle was the clue "Twiddles one’s thumbs" last seen?

Q4: What does the word "IDLES" mean in this context?

Q5: What are some other crossword clues that share the same answer?

Today's Crossword Answers

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