Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Don’t tell me how it ___!”
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Answer: ENDS – 4 letters
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Clue number and direction: 4 Down
The New York Times crossword clue “Don’t tell me how it ___!” is answered with ENDS in 4 letters. In the February 13, 2026 NYT Mini, ENDS appears at 4-Down.
Why ENDS Is the Right NYT Answer
The full, familiar phrase is “Don’t tell me how it ends!”, something you’d say to avoid spoilers for a book, movie, or show. The blank sits where the verb belongs, and ENDS is the only natural, idiomatic English completion that fits a 4-letter slot.
Answer and hint pages for the February 13, 2026 NYT Mini confirm ENDS as the intended solution for this clue.
What ENDS Means
ENDS is the third-person singular or simple present/plural form of the verb “end,” meaning “finishes” or “concludes.” In this clue’s context, it refers to how a story, game, or event wraps up—its conclusion.
So the clue is really quoting a common anti-spoiler request, with ENDS capturing the idea of “how the story finishes.”
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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Quoted phrases with a blank (“Don’t tell me how it ___!”, “Let’s call it a ___”) usually want the exact spoken word people use in real life.
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For spoiler-related clues (“Don’t spoil it!”, “No spoilers, please”), look for ENDS or ENDING depending on the letter count.
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A 4-letter pattern E_DS or _NDS with a clue about “how it …” strongly points to ENDS.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern & Crossings
In the February 13, 2026 NYT Mini, 4-Down has 4 squares, which matches ENDS perfectly. In the grid, it fills as:
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ENDS(E‑N‑D‑S)
Each letter is confirmed by Across entries FAKE, MILAN, WEIRD, AREAS, and HINT in the same puzzle, so once you lock those in, ENDS drops in cleanly with no conflicts.
Other Clues That Might Use ENDS
ENDS is a common crossword answer and often appears with clues such as:
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“Concludes”
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“Wraps up”
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“Final parts” (when used as a noun, with different crossings)
Anything about finishing, wrapping, or conclusion with a 4-letter slot could be ENDS if the crossings fit.
Complete February 13, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down)
Here are the key answers from the February 13, 2026 NYT Mini to help you complete the full grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Like flowers that never wilt | FAKE | 4 |
| Italian city that’s hosting part of the 2026 Winter Olympics | MILAN | 5 |
| “Huh, that’s strange …” | WEIRD | 5 |
| Regions | AREAS | 5 |
| Crossword clue, e.g. | HINT | 4 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Guy in a kitchen | FIERI | 5 |
| Visitor from another world | ALIEN | 5 |
| Gold measurement | KARAT | 5 |
| “Don’t tell me how it ___!” | ENDS | 4 |
| Kissing sound | MWAH | 4 |
