Quick Answer
The New York Times crossword clue “Stuck doing the same old, same old” is answered with “INARUT”, a 6-letter entry.
Clue: “Stuck doing the same old, same old”
Answer: INARUT
Length: 6 letters
Clue number and direction: 2-Across
In the grid, it appears as INARUT (the spaces from “in a rut” are removed).
Why INARUT Is the Right NYT Answer
- The idiom “in a rut” means feeling stuck in a repetitive, unchanging routine, which perfectly matches “Stuck doing the same old, same old.”
- NYT Mini answer lists and helper sites all confirm INARUT as the exact 6-letter fill for this clue on February 2, 2026.
- Because crosswords drop spaces, the three-word phrase “in a rut” becomes the single continuous entry INARUT, fitting neatly into the six-square slot.
What “In a Rut” Means in Plain English
- To be in a rut is to feel trapped in a boring or unfulfilling routine, doing the same things over and over without change. It often implies boredom, lack of progress, or a sense that life or work is stuck on repeat.
- That idea of monotonous repetition is exactly what the clue’s “same old, same old” is getting at, so the idiom is a natural answer.
Crossword-Specific Help: Pattern, Crossings, and Recurrence
- INARUT appears often in crosswords, especially in NYT, clued with phrases like “Stuck in a routine,” “Feeling stagnant,” or “Bored with the usual.”
- Crossings from intersecting Downs will quickly confirm the slightly unusual U–T ending: once you see I N A R U _, “rut” is hard to miss.
- Related clues that can also lead to INARUT include “Bored with routine,” “Needing a change,” or “In a tedious pattern.”
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When you see “same old, same old,” “routine,” or “stuck” in a clue, think of idioms like INARUT, INAFOG, or IN A JAM, then match the length.
- Remember that multi-word idioms lose spaces in grids, so count letters, not words, to see if entries like INARUT will fit.
If you have I N A _ _ T with a stagnation clue, try INARUT and let the crossings confirm each interior consonant.
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 |
