Quick Answer:
Clue: “Cats always land on their feet,” e.g.
Answer: MYTH
Length: 4 letters
Clue number and direction: 1-Down
The New York Times crossword clue “Cats always land on their feet,” e.g. has the answer “MYTH”, a 4-letter entry for 1-Down.Why “MYTH” Is the Right NYT Answer
Why “MYTH” Is the Right Answer
The clue uses a well-known cat saying as an example of a not-quite-true belief, which points directly to MYTH. Helper sites for the February 4, 2026 NYT Mini confirm MYTH as the official 4-letter solution for this exact clue.
In the grid, 1-Down takes four letters, and MYTH fits as M Y T H, often appearing with patterns like M_TH or _YTH once a couple of crosses are in. Because MYTH is common crossword fill, it’s a natural choice when the clue hints at a widely held but inaccurate belief.
What “MYTH” Means in Plain English
In everyday use, a myth is a story or belief that people repeat, even though it may not be literally true. It can be a traditional tale about gods and origins, or just a popular misconception like “cats always land on their feet.”
Here the clue clearly uses the phrase as an example of a popular belief that isn’t fully accurate, which lines up exactly with the everyday sense of MYTH. You don’t need any deep mythology knowledge—just the idea that the statement is an exaggeration, not a scientific rule.
Crossword-Specific Help for 1-Down
Definition: “Cats always land on their feet,” e.g. → a type of belief or saying.
Length: 4 letters → MYTH is the cleanest fit.
As you fill Across entries, crossings for 1-Down will likely give patterns such as:
M Y _ H
_ Y T H
Once you see MYTH taking shape, it confirms that the clue is pointing to the belief’s truth status, not to cats themselves. MYTH is not obscure “crosswordese”; it turns up regularly in NYT and other major puzzles, sometimes clued via “Legend,” “Widely held but false belief,” or “It isn’t true.”
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
Watch for clue signals that something is not literally true:
“Old wives’ tale, e.g.”
“Popular misconception”
“Story that isn’t literally true”
These often lead to MYTH in a 4-letter slot. If the clue emphasizes sacred or traditional stories, you might still get MYTH, but longer grid slots can take MYTHOS, LEGEND, or FOLK TALE instead.
Any time a clue presents a familiar saying followed by “e.g.” or “for one,” consider whether the puzzle wants the category of thing (MYTH, ADAGE, CLICHÉ) rather than the saying itself.
