Quick Answer
The New York Times Mini crossword clue “Burning up?” has the answer “ONFIRE”, which is a 6-letter entry.
Clue: “Burning up?”
Answer: ONFIRE
Length: 6 letters
Clue number and direction: 7-Across
In the grid, it appears as ONFIRE with no space.
Why ONFIRE Is the Right NYT Answer
- “On fire” can literally describe something that is burning, but it is also a common idiom for someone or something performing extremely well, which fits the playful “?” in the clue. NYT Mini answer keys and solver sites confirm ONFIRE as the 6-letter solution for the February 2, 2026 puzzle.
- Among 6-letter options, ONFIRE is the standard two-word phrase clued frequently as “Burning up,” “Really hot,” or “Doing extremely well,” making it the best fit for both meaning and length.
What “On Fire” Means in Plain English
- In everyday English, “on fire” literally means something is burning with flames. Figuratively, it means someone is doing incredibly well, on a hot streak, or full of energy and enthusiasm (for example, “That player is on fire tonight”).
- The Mini’s clue “Burning up?” taps into that double meaning, letting the answer work both as a literal description and as a lively idiom.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Crossings, and Recurrence
- ONFIRE is a fairly common crossword entry across NYT and other outlets for clues like “Really hot,” “Scoring again and again,” or “Doing extremely well.”
- In the February 2, 2026 Mini, crosses from downs such as ANNUL and CAFFE lock in the N, F, I, and R, so once you see O?FIR? with a heat-related clue, ONFIRE becomes obvious.
- Other puzzles also list ONFIRE as the canonical 6-letter answer for “Burning up” and “Burning up: 2 wds.”, reinforcing it as a go-to fill.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- A question mark at the end of a clue often signals wordplay or an idiom, so with “Burning up?” think beyond literal fire to phrases like ONFIRE or INARAGE.
- For 6-letter grids where the clue feels like “very hot” or “on a streak,” try ONFIRE first, then confirm with crosses.
Remember that two-word idioms usually lose the space in crosswords, so enter ONFIRE, not “ON FIRE.”
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 |
