CrossClimb #666: Shot, Soot, Soon, Boon, Born + Shoe Horn
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CrossClimb #666
LinkedIn CrossClimb #666 for February 25, 2026 full solution with hints, top and bottom answers. Hints: ___ put (Olympic event), Grime in a chimney, The "S" in ASAP, Beneficial thing, "___ with a silver spoon in one's mouth" (privileged), Compound word that's a thing used to help put on footwear.
Solve LinkedIn CrossClimb #666: February 25, 2026 - Full Guide
LinkedIn's CrossClimb puzzle #666 challenges you to climb a word ladder, changing one letter at a time while matching clues. This 4-letter word ladder starts with an Olympic event, ends at a privileged idiom, and reveals a compound footwear helper. Follow this step-by-step solution to conquer it fast.
Understanding CrossClimb Rules
In CrossClimb, words share the same length (here, 4 letters) and differ by exactly one letter per step. Solve middle clues first, then tackle the compound question for top/bottom words. Keywords: word ladder, one-letter change, LinkedIn games.
Step-by-Step Clue Solutions
Hint 1: ___ put (Olympic event)
The answer is SHOT. This fills "SHOT put," a classic track-and-field event where athletes hurl a heavy metal ball.
Hint 2: Grime in a chimney
The answer is SOOT. Change the H in SHOT to O, forming SOOT – the black, carbon-based buildup from fires coating chimneys.
Hint 3: The "S" in ASAP
The answer is SOON. Swap T for N in SOOT to get SOON. ASAP means "As Soon As Possible," making this the S.
Hint 4: Beneficial thing
The answer is BOON. Replace first S with B and O with OO? Wait, precise: SOON to BOON changes S to B. A BOON is a timely benefit or blessing.
Hint 5: "___ with a silver spoon in one's mouth" (privileged)
The answer is BORN. Alter OO to OR in BOON for BORN. The idiom "BORN with a silver spoon..." describes inherited wealth and privilege.
Full Word Ladder
| Step | Word | Change | Clue Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SHOT | - | ___ put (Olympic) |
| 2 | SOOT | H → O | Chimney grime |
| 3 | SOON | T → N | "S" in ASAP |
| 4 | BOON | S → B | Beneficial thing |
| 5 | BORN | OO → OR | "___ with a silver spoon" |
Compound Question: Thing Used to Help Put on Footwear
With the ladder complete (SHOT → SOOT → SOON → BOON → BORN), unlock the final: a compound word for a footwear aid.
- Top Answer: SHOE – Combines ladder start SHOT (near SHOE) with end.
- Bottom Answer: HORN – A SHOE HORN stretches shoes for easy foot entry.
Verify: SHOE HORN is the perfect compound match, tying clues like SHOT (sound) and privileged BORN (fit for fancy shoes?).
Pro Tips for Future CrossClimb Puzzles
- Spot easy clues first (e.g., SHOT PUT is iconic).
- Test one-letter swaps: SHOT to ?OOT (SOOT fits grime).
- All words 4 letters – narrows options.
- Compound often merges ladder bookends (SHOE from SHOT-like, HORN from ladder logic).
Mastered #666? Bookmark for daily LinkedIn CrossClimb answers, including #667 tomorrow. Share your solve time in comments!
SEO: LinkedIn CrossClimb solution, word ladder puzzle, SHOT SOOT SOON BOON BORN, shoe horn, February 25 2026.