Quick Answer
Clue: “Crab’s grabber”
Answer: CLAW
Answer length: 4 letters
Position: 1-Across
The New York Times clue “Crab’s grabber” has the 4-letter answer CLAW, confirmed in multiple NYT Mini answer keys for the January 19, 2026 puzzle.
Why “CLAW” Is the Right NYT Answer
- Crabs grab, hold, and defend themselves with their front pincers, commonly called claws in everyday English. The clue’s playful rhyme (“Crab’s grabber”) points straight at the body part that literally grabs things, making CLAW the natural fit.
- Since the grid slot is four letters, alternatives like “PINCER” or “PINCHER” are too long, and CLAW is the standard crossword answer used for this clue across several databases.
What “CLAW” Means in Plain English
- A claw is a curved, pointed part at the end of an animal’s limb, used for gripping, tearing, or defense crabs and lobsters have prominent claws used as pincers. In this clue, the crab’s claw is simply being described as its “grabber,” using casual language instead of a technical term.
- You do not need any zoology to solve it: picture a crab on a beach snapping with its claws, and “grabber” becomes an obvious stand‑in.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Crossings, and Variants
- At 1-Across, CLAW fills the pattern C‑L‑A‑W, so even partial patterns like C_AW or _LAW from crossings will quickly lead to the answer. Short, consonant-heavy words like CLAW are popular in 4×4 or 5×5 Minis because they intersect cleanly with common letters.
- The same entry appears under related clues such as “Lobster’s weapon,” “Arcade game grabber,” and “Hammer part,” all of which are documented using CLAW as the solution.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When you see an animal plus a rhyming or playful noun like “grabber,” “scratcher,” or “weapon,” think of obvious body parts: CLAW, PAW, TAIL, HORN.
- For crustaceans specifically (crabs, lobsters), CLAW or PINCER are extremely common fills; grid length is your best guide to which one fits.
Starting at 1-Across with an easy gimme like CLAW gives you strong crossing letters for several Down entries, helping you build momentum through the Mini.
