Quick Answer
The New York Times Mini crossword clue “Begin to veer off the road, say” has the answer “DRIFT”, a 5-letter Down entry.
Clue: “Begin to veer off the road, say”
Answer: DRIFT
Length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 3-Down
In the grid, you enter it as DRIFT.
Why DRIFT Is the Right NYT Answer
- To drift while driving is to start moving slowly sideways or off a straight path, which matches “begin to veer off the road” very closely.
- Answer guides for the February 2, 2026 NYT Mini explicitly give DRIFT as the 3-Down solution.
- The clue uses “begin to veer,” so it’s about the early, gradual motion rather than a full skid or crash, and DRIFT is the natural five-letter verb for that situation.
What DRIFT Means in Plain English
- In everyday use, drift means to move slowly or gradually away from a set course, often without strong control like a car drifting toward the shoulder or a boat drifting with the current.
- It also works metaphorically (a conversation can drift off-topic), but here the driving sense is clearly in play.
- Motorsport uses “drifting” for a controlled slide where the driver intentionally oversteers, but the crossword clue is about an ordinary car just starting to veer.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Crossings, and Recurrence
- DRIFT is a common crossword answer for clues involving slow sideways motion, veering, or “aimless” movement.
- In this grid, crosses from Across entries like ACDC, INARUT, ONFIRE, SUFFIX, and LETO give you the D, R, I, and T quickly, so the full DRIFT becomes obvious.
- You may also see DRIFT clued as “Slow sideways movement,” “What snow may do,” or “Wander aimlessly,” all leaning on the same core idea.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When a clue uses “veer,” “slide,” or “move off course,” try DRIFT if the slot is five letters, then verify with crossings.
- If the clue feels gradual (begin to move, slowly leave, etc.) rather than sudden (crash, skid), DRIFT is more likely than SKID or SWERVE.
Remember that DRIFT can describe motion in air, water, or on the road, so it’s a versatile answer that constructors like to reuse.
More NYT Mini Crossword Answers for February 02, 2026
| Clue | Answer | |
| 1A | Rock band with albums like “High Voltage” and “Flick of the Switch” | View Answer |
| 5A | Stuck doing the same old, same old | View Answer |
| 7A | Burning up? | View Answer |
| 8A | -tion, for one | View Answer |
| 9A | Jared of 2025’s “Tron: Ares” | View Answer |
| 1D | Declare void, as a marriage | View Answer |
| 2D | ___ macchiato (espresso drink) | View Answer |
| 3D | Begin to veer off the road, say | View Answer |
| 4D | Odd little trinket | View Answer |
| 5D | What Apple smartphones run on | View Answer |
