Connections archive · Puzzle #1178
NYT Connections Hints & Answers — September 1, 2026 (#1178)
Group hints and answers for the NYT Connections puzzle on . Get a spoiler-free nudge for each group, or reveal the full solution — your call.
Difficulty: Medium
Spoiler control
Choose how much to reveal
Reveal one step at a time — nudges first, full answers only if you ask.
1. Group nudges spoiler-free
- Yellow: Things you say when you’re vowing you’re telling the truth.
- Green: Straight, thin items that usually show up in a set or bundle.
- Blue: Famous detectives from novels and pulp — not real-world cops.
- Purple: Each entry opens with a word about wanting or planning something.
2. One word from each group a foothold
- Yellow: CROSS MY HEART
- Green: ARROW
- Blue: HERCULE POIROT
- Purple: AIMEE MANN
3. The four category names no words yet
- Yellow: "I PROMISE!"
- Green: LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER
- Blue: PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION
- Purple: STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
4. Reveal groups one by one
Yellow group
"I PROMISE!"
- CROSS MY HEART
- FOR REAL
- ON GOD
- PINKY SWEAR
Green group
LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER
- ARROW
- GOLF CLUB
- PICK-UP STICK
- SPAGHETTO
Blue group
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION
- HERCULE POIROT
- MIKE HAMMER
- SAM SPADE
- SHERLOCK HOLMES
Purple group
STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
- AIMEE MANN
- HOPE DIAMOND
- PLANETARIUM
- WISHY-WASHY
5. Reveal everything full spoilers
Yellow — "I PROMISE!"
- CROSS MY HEART
- FOR REAL
- ON GOD
- PINKY SWEAR
Green — LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER
- ARROW
- GOLF CLUB
- PICK-UP STICK
- SPAGHETTO
Blue — PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION
- HERCULE POIROT
- MIKE HAMMER
- SAM SPADE
- SHERLOCK HOLMES
Purple — STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION
- AIMEE MANN
- HOPE DIAMOND
- PLANETARIUM
- WISHY-WASHY
NYT Connections #1178 — quick answers
What are today's Connections categories?
"I PROMISE!"; LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER; PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION; STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION.
What are all the answers?
- "I PROMISE!": CROSS MY HEART, FOR REAL, ON GOD, PINKY SWEAR
- LONG, SKINNY THINGS OFTEN SEEN TOGETHER: ARROW, GOLF CLUB, PICK-UP STICK, SPAGHETTO
- PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF FICTION: HERCULE POIROT, MIKE HAMMER, SAM SPADE, SHERLOCK HOLMES
- STARTING WITH WORDS OF INTENTION: AIMEE MANN, HOPE DIAMOND, PLANETARIUM, WISHY-WASHY
Also for: Connections hints 9/1/26, 9-1-26, 9 1 26, 9/1/2026, and puzzle #1178.
Also stuck on Strands, Wordle, Spelling Bee or Mini Crossword ?
Today's puzzle, in a nutshell
Yellow is how you swear you’re serious. Green is stick-shaped things in a bunch. Blue is classic gumshoes. Purple starts with aim, hope, plan, and wish.