Four by Four hints ·
Hints for the Four by Four puzzle
Open one hint at a time for each group. Hints go from a vague nudge to nearly naming the category, and each group stays hidden until you choose to reveal it. Play this puzzle.
The sixteen words
SALMON · BLUE · TROUT · MACKEREL · NEWS · HERRING · DRIVEL · FOOT · AUTHORIZE · DIALOGUE · HOGWASH · FINGER · EDUCATION · SEQUOIA · TRIPE · BUNK
Group 1
Hint 1: A nudge
All four could appear in the same chilled display case.
Hint 2: Narrowing it down
Each one names a living creature rather than a prepared dish.
Hint 3: Nearly there
Four creatures you might order at a seafood counter.
Group 2
Hint 1: A nudge
Each of these is only half of a longer everyday word.
Hint 2: Narrowing it down
Two are parts of the body, one is a colour, and one is what you read each morning.
Hint 3: Nearly there
The missing second half is what a press does to paper.
Group 3
Hint 1: A nudge
You might hear all four shouted at a television screen.
Hint 2: Narrowing it down
Each one dismisses what somebody has just said.
Hint 3: Nearly there
Casual ways of calling an argument complete rubbish.
Group 4
Hint 1: A nudge
Ignore what these four mean and study how they are spelled.
Hint 2: Narrowing it down
Something is present in each of these that no other word here can claim.
Hint 3: Nearly there
Tick off a, e, i, o and u as you read each one.