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Verified archive for September 6, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1183

NYT Connections Hints and Answers for September 6, 2026

Connections #1183 for September 6, 2026 contains four groups built around permission phrases, computer insertion points, redundant wording after abbreviations and carved-surface endings.

Guide editorNora BennettSenior Editor

Start here

Take one step at a time

4 groups
Group 1Category hidden
Group 2Category hidden
Group 3Category hidden
Group 4Category hidden

Need more than a hint?

Get a spoiler-safe solving plan

Use three general checks to make progress without seeing a category or answer.

Open today’s solving plan
  1. Prefer an exact rule.A shared topic is only a lead. Look for four words connected in the same precise way.
  2. Find the least flexible word.Use the word with the narrowest meaning to place words that could belong in several groups.
  3. Test the grammar.If the leftovers look unrelated, try placing one common word before or after each answer.

Reveal guide

Choose only as much help as you need

Every group has its own ladder. Opening one level never exposes another group.

  1. 1
    Start with a small hint

    Get a gentle nudge without seeing the category or its words.

  2. 2
    Ask for a stronger hint

    Use a more specific clue before revealing the category.

  3. 3
    Reveal only what you choose

    Open the category, then the four words only when you are ready.

You remain in control. You can move between levels without revealing the rest of the puzzle.

Practice board guide

Try a group without risking your streak

This scratchpad checks your thinking locally. It never sends a guess to the official puzzle.

  1. 1
    Choose four words

    Tap any four tiles that share one precise connection.

  2. 2
    Check the set

    Once four are selected, press “Check these four.”

  3. 3
    Keep it or adjust

    A correct group is confirmed. If it misses, swap one word or open a hint.

Nothing here affects an official streak. Clear the board at any time and try another four.

Today’s puzzle explained

Connections #1183 group overview

Keep each relationship at the scope of its official category. In particular, treat the green entries as places to insert something into on a computer and read the purple entries by their endings.

Overall difficultyThe verified sequence runs from yellow through green and blue to purple.Biggest trapTwo-word phrases may invite grouping by surface vocabulary alone; test whether one exact relationship covers four entries before submitting.Best first moveBegin with BLANK CHECK, CARTE BLANCHE, FREE REIN and FULL AUTHORITY, which all match UNRESTRICTED PERMISSION.

Why the board is deceptive

The yellow and green groups rely on direct phrase-level relationships involving unrestricted permission and computer insertion points.

The blue group examines abbreviations followed by redundant words, while the purple group depends on the endings of four longer entries.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Resolve the four unrestricted-permission phrases first, then collect the four computer insertion points. Examine the remaining technical-looking phrases for redundant words after abbreviations, leaving four entries whose endings name ways to carve a surface.

Spoilers below

Today’s groups and answers

Each group stays hidden until you choose to open it. Reveal one at a time, or keep this section closed while you continue solving.

Permission without restrictionReveal this group

What connects BLANK CHECK, CARTE BLANCHE, FREE REIN and FULL AUTHORITY?

BLANK CHECK · CARTE BLANCHE · FREE REIN · FULL AUTHORITY

UNRESTRICTED PERMISSION. BLANK CHECK, CARTE BLANCHE, FREE REIN and FULL AUTHORITY all fit the official relationship UNRESTRICTED PERMISSION.

Best anchor: Look for four permission phrases.

Computer insertion pointsReveal this group

What connects CARD SLOT, HEADPHONE JACK, OPTICAL DRIVE and USB PORT?

CARD SLOT · HEADPHONE JACK · OPTICAL DRIVE · USB PORT

PLACES TO INSERT SOMETHING INTO ON A COMPUTER. CARD SLOT, HEADPHONE JACK, OPTICAL DRIVE and USB PORT are the four official PLACES TO INSERT SOMETHING INTO ON A COMPUTER.

Best anchor: Focus on computer insertion locations.

Redundancy after abbreviationsReveal this group

What connects ATM MACHINE, LCD DISPLAY, PIN NUMBER and UPC CODE?

ATM MACHINE · LCD DISPLAY · PIN NUMBER · UPC CODE

ABBREVIATIONS FOLLOWED BY REDUNDANT WORD. Each entry is an abbreviation followed by a redundant word: MACHINE in ATM MACHINE, DISPLAY in LCD DISPLAY, NUMBER in PIN NUMBER and CODE in UPC CODE.

Best anchor: Expand each initial abbreviation.

Carving terms at the endsReveal this group

What connects COURT SCRIBE, DIRECTOR'S CUT, PIZZA SLICE and SAT SCORE?

COURT SCRIBE · DIRECTOR'S CUT · PIZZA SLICE · SAT SCORE

ENDING WITH WAYS TO CARVE A SURFACE. COURT SCRIBE, DIRECTOR'S CUT, PIZZA SLICE and SAT SCORE end with SCRIBE, CUT, SLICE and SCORE, matching WAYS TO CARVE A SURFACE.

Best anchor: Read only the four entry endings.

Today’s supporting guides

Why the trickiest words belong together

These focused articles go beyond the answer: they explain the exact relationship, the convincing red herrings and how to recognize the pattern again.

Supporting clue guideWhy the yellow group means unrestricted permissionExplain this connection Supporting clue guideHow the green computer insertion points connectExplain this connection Supporting clue guideWhy the blue phrases repeat part of their abbreviationsExplain this connection Supporting clue guideHow the purple phrase endings name carving actionsExplain this connection Supporting clue guideDefinitions for all 16 puzzle wordsExplain this connection

Browse every Connections clue explainer →

How to solve this Connections puzzle

The thinking route, not just the answers

Use today’s anchor words as a repeatable method: secure an exact group, remove it, and let the remaining board become more specific.

  1. 1
    UNRESTRICTED PERMISSION

    Look for four permission phrases.

  2. 2
    PLACES TO INSERT SOMETHING INTO ON A COMPUTER

    Focus on computer insertion locations.

  3. 3
    ABBREVIATIONS FOLLOWED BY REDUNDANT WORD

    Expand each initial abbreviation.

  4. 4
    ENDING WITH WAYS TO CARVE A SURFACE

    Read only the four entry endings.

Mental model to reuse tomorrow

Exact relationship beats shared topic

Weak rule“These words feel related.”A broad topic can support several tempting but unstable groups.

Strong rule“The same test works for all four.”One precise relationship should explain every answer in the same way.

Today’s best first move: Begin with BLANK CHECK, CARTE BLANCHE, FREE REIN and FULL AUTHORITY, which all match UNRESTRICTED PERMISSION..

Build your solving vocabulary

Four anchors worth spotting

An anchor is the least flexible word in a possible group. It often exposes the intended relationship before the more ambiguous words do.

Yellow, first in the verified color order. groupPermission without restriction
UNRESTRICTED PERMISSION: Look for four permission phrases.
Green, second in the verified color order. groupComputer insertion points
PLACES TO INSERT SOMETHING INTO ON A COMPUTER: Focus on computer insertion locations.
Blue, third in the verified color order. groupRedundancy after abbreviations
ABBREVIATIONS FOLLOWED BY REDUNDANT WORD: Expand each initial abbreviation.
Purple, fourth in the verified color order. groupCarving terms at the ends
ENDING WITH WAYS TO CARVE A SURFACE: Read only the four entry endings.

Questions players ask

Connections help without extra spoilers

I’m stuck. Which hint should I open first?

Start with the small hint for the group you feel closest to solving. Use the stronger hint only if the first nudge is not enough, then reveal the category or four words when you want confirmation.

What should I do when five words seem to belong together?

Assume one is a red herring. Look for the word with a strong second meaning, then test whether it forms a cleaner group elsewhere.

What does “Test a group” do?

Select four words and choose “Check these four” to see whether your grouping works. It stays on this page and never submits a guess to the official puzzle or affects a streak.

Do I need to solve the groups in difficulty order?

No. Start with the clearest exact set. Removing an obvious group often exposes the overlapping meanings and wordplay in the harder groups.

Can I check one answer without spoiling the whole puzzle?

Yes. Every group opens independently, so you can reveal one hint, category or set of four words while keeping the other groups hidden.

About the guide editor

Nora Bennett

An editor focused on spoiler-conscious daily puzzle guides and plain-English solving explanations.

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