Quick Answer
Clue: ““Fine, see if ___!””
Answer: ICARE
Answer length: 5 letters
Clue number and direction: 7-Across
The New York Times crossword clue ““Fine, see if ___!”” is answered with ICARE, completing the familiar phrase “Fine, see if I care!”.
Why ICARE Is the Right NYT Answer
- The clue is clearly pointing to the common English expression “Fine, see if I care!”, a mildly sarcastic or defensive remark. When you remove “I care” from the phrase, the missing part is exactly ICARE, which fits the 5-letter requirement.
- NYT Mini answer roundups for January 28, 2026, along with dedicated crossword-solver pages, list ICARE as the official 7-Across solution for this clue.
What ICARE Means in Plain English (in this context)
- Here, “I care” is not a dictionary word but part of a set phrase used in everyday speech: “Fine, see if I care!” It usually means the speaker is pretending not to care or emphasizing how little they’re affected often in a slightly dramatic or joking way.
- In crosswords, ICARE is treated as a single entry to capture this idiomatic chunk of the sentence.
Crossword-Specific Help for ICARE
- In the grid, ICARE appears as I C A R E, so once you have I_C_E or ICA_E from crossings, it becomes much easier to see.
- For this Mini, 7-Across crosses with several down clues like “Prepare to use, as a pen” (UNCAP) and “Pair on a bicycle” (probably SEAT/SPOKES-style answers), which give you confirming letters for ICARE.
- The partial-quote style—putting part of the phrase in the clue and leaving a blank—signals that the answer will be the missing words, not a synonym.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When a clue is a spoken phrase with a blank, like “Fine, see if ___!” or “As if ___!” the answer is usually the missing words exactly as said, e.g., ICARE.
- Look for patterns where the blank comes at the end of a familiar expression—“see if I care,” “don’t you dare,” “I told you so”—and try to “hear” the phrase in your head.
Use crossings: if you already have I–A–E in a short across answer with a conversational clue, filling in ICARE is a solid bet.
More NYT Mini Crossword Answers for January 28, 2026
| Clue | Answer | |
| 1A | Remove from a position of power | View Answer |
| 5A | Not cool | View Answer |
| 7A | “Fine, see if ___!” | View Answer |
| 8A | Kind of bored | View Answer |
| 9A | Primatologists’ subjects: | View Answer |
| 1D | Kind of board | View Answer |
| 2D | Prepare to use, as a pen | View Answer |
| 3D | Desirable place to sit on a hot day | View Answer |
| 4D | Pair on a bicycle | View Answer |
| 6D | __ XING (street sign) | View Answer |
