Today’s word-game hints, updated daily
HintCorner

Daily word-game guide

Updated and verified for September 17, 2026 Spoiler-safePuzzle #1194

NYT Connections Hints Today (September 17, 2026) + Answers

Connections puzzle #1194 for September 17, 2026 combines elasticity terms, underground things, abbreviated movie titles and four expressions completed by LOVE.

Guide editorEthan ParkEditor

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

How the September 17 board fits together

The broad wording of THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND matters: the relationship does not require the four entries to share a purpose. The movie set also requires the exact qualification HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE".

Overall difficultyThe board mixes broad noun phrases, flexible everyday words and a title-based category, so progress depends on testing exact relationships rather than relying on a single sense.Biggest trapBOUNCE, SPRING and TAP can all suggest physical actions, but that trio does not supply a valid fourth word. BOUNCE and SPRING belong with FLEXIBILITY and GIVE under ELASTICITY, while TAP completes LOVE ___ with HANDLES, LANGUAGE and TRIANGLE.Best first moveStart with MINE SHAFT, SEWER LINE, SUBWAY STATION and WELL. All four satisfy the broad wording THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND without requiring a narrower shared function.

Why the board is deceptive

One group uses a direct shared concept, while another asks only whether each named thing can be underground.

The remaining sets depend on restoring either an omitted movie-title article or the same word before four entries.

Open the clean solving route

One way through the board

Secure the underground set first, then test BOUNCE, FLEXIBILITY, GIVE and SPRING as ELASTICITY. Add “The” before the four Hugh Jackman movie entries, leaving HANDLES, LANGUAGE, TAP and TRIANGLE for LOVE ___.

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.

Capacity to bend or reboundReveal this group

What connects BOUNCE, FLEXIBILITY, GIVE and SPRING?

BOUNCE · FLEXIBILITY · GIVE · SPRING

ELASTICITY. BOUNCE, FLEXIBILITY, GIVE and SPRING are the four entries grouped by the official category ELASTICITY.

Best anchor: BOUNCE and FLEXIBILITY establish the shared concept.

Below the surfaceReveal this group

What connects MINE SHAFT, SEWER LINE, SUBWAY STATION and WELL?

MINE SHAFT · SEWER LINE · SUBWAY STATION · WELL

THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND. MINE SHAFT, SEWER LINE, SUBWAY STATION and WELL all fit the literal category THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND.

Best anchor: MINE SHAFT and SUBWAY STATION point below ground.

Movie titles missing an articleReveal this group

What connects FOUNTAIN, PRESTIGE, SHEEP DETECTIVES and WOLVERINE?

FOUNTAIN · PRESTIGE · SHEEP DETECTIVES · WOLVERINE

HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE". Adding “The” produces The Fountain, The Prestige, The Sheep Detectives and The Wolverine, matching HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE".

Best anchor: PRESTIGE becomes the title The Prestige.

Expressions beginning with LOVEReveal this group

What connects HANDLES, LANGUAGE, TAP and TRIANGLE?

HANDLES · LANGUAGE · TAP · TRIANGLE

LOVE ___. HANDLES, LANGUAGE, TAP and TRIANGLE each complete the official fill-in category LOVE ___ when LOVE is placed first.

Best anchor: LOVE LANGUAGE provides a direct phrase frame.

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 guideHow BOUNCE, FLEXIBILITY, GIVE and SPRING ConnectExplain this connection Supporting clue guideWhy MINE SHAFT, SEWER LINE, SUBWAY STATION and WELL Go TogetherExplain this connection Supporting clue guideThe Hugh Jackman Movie Titles in Connections #1194Explain this connection Supporting clue guideHow HANDLES, LANGUAGE, TAP and TRIANGLE Complete LOVE ___Explain 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
    ELASTICITY

    BOUNCE and FLEXIBILITY establish the shared concept.

  2. 2
    THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND

    MINE SHAFT and SUBWAY STATION point below ground.

  3. 3
    HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE"

    PRESTIGE becomes the title The Prestige.

  4. 4
    LOVE ___

    LOVE LANGUAGE provides a direct phrase frame.

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: Start with MINE SHAFT, SEWER LINE, SUBWAY STATION and WELL. All four satisfy the broad wording THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND without requiring a narrower shared function..

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.

The words use different grammatical and contextual routes to the same official concept. groupCapacity to bend or rebound
ELASTICITY: BOUNCE and FLEXIBILITY establish the shared concept.
The category is broad, so the solver should avoid imposing an extra shared function on the four entries. groupBelow the surface
THINGS THAT ARE UNDERGROUND: MINE SHAFT and SUBWAY STATION point below ground.
Recognition depends on supplying the omitted word and identifying the exact film-based relationship. groupMovie titles missing an article
HUGH JACKMAN MOVIES, WITH "THE": PRESTIGE becomes the title The Prestige.
Several entries have broad standalone meanings, so the shared leading word must be tested across all four phrases. groupExpressions beginning with LOVE
LOVE ___: LOVE LANGUAGE provides a direct phrase frame.

Language background

Useful guides for today’s wordplay

These independent language explainers add definition, origin or usage context where it genuinely helps.

Language guideBounce Meaning: Definition, Usage and Connections Context

Go deeper on this word or phrase without duplicating the puzzle explanation.

Read the language guide Language guideMine Shaft Meaning: Definition, Spelling and Puzzle Context

Go deeper on this word or phrase without duplicating the puzzle explanation.

Read the language guide Language guideTap Meaning: Definition, Examples and Love Tap Context

Go deeper on this word or phrase without duplicating the puzzle explanation.

Read the language guide

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

Ethan Park

Ethan turns word patterns and solving routes into concise, accessible guidance for daily players.

Read Ethan’s profile →