Be part of the crowd, with “in” - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Be part of the crowd, with 'in'", is a classic example of a common crossword construction: the phrasal verb clue. These clues provide a definition and then point you to the preposition that completes the phrase, leaving you to find the verb. Let's break down how to solve this one.

Clue Analysis

The clue can be neatly divided into two parts:

1. The Definition: "Be part of the crowd". This phrase suggests belonging, conforming, or being accepted by a social group.
2. The Instruction: "with 'in'". This is a direct hint from the constructor telling us that our answer, when paired with the word "in", will form a phrasal verb that matches the definition.

So, we are looking for a word X where the phrase X in means "to be part of the crowd". The most common and direct phrase that fits this description is "to fit in". Therefore, the answer is the verb part of that phrase.

Thinking Approaches

When you encounter a clue like this, here are a few ways to approach it:

1. Direct Association: Read the clue as a whole. Your brain might immediately connect "be part of the crowd" with the idiom "fit in". The "with 'in'" part serves as a confirmation of this instinct.
2. Deconstruct and Rebuild: Separate the definition from the instruction. First, brainstorm synonyms for "be part of the crowd": belong, assimilate, blend in, conform. Then, test which of these works as a verb followed by "in". "Blend in" is a good synonym, but "blend" is not the answer. "Fit in" is the most precise match for the feeling of social acceptance implied by the clue.
3. Use the Crossings: This is likely a short answer. If you have even one or two crossing letters, you can quickly test possibilities. For a three-letter word, getting the first or last letter often solves it instantly. For example, if you had F _ T, the answer becomes obvious.

Background Context

Phrasal verbs are a staple of the English language and, by extension, of crossword puzzles. They consist of a verb plus a preposition or adverb, creating a meaning different from the original verb. Clues like this one are helpful because they explicitly give you the second part of the phrase. Other examples might be "Give __ (surrender)" for UP or "Look __ (take care of)" for AFTER. Recognizing this clue type is a key skill for improving your solving speed.

Conclusion

This clue is a friendly and straightforward puzzle element. By recognizing the structure—a definition followed by "with [preposition]"—solvers can quickly identify that they are looking for the verb in a phrasal verb. The commonness of the phrase "fit in" makes this an accessible clue for solvers of all levels.

Hints

1. Hint 1: The clue is asking for the first part of a common two-word phrase.
2. Hint 2: This phrase means to belong or be socially accepted by a group.
3. Hint 3: You might try to do this on your first day at a new school or job.
4. Hint 4: The answer word, on its own, can mean "healthy" or "suitable."

The answer to the clue "Be part of the crowd, with “in”" is: FIT