CrossClimb #738: Holy ___ to Money Maker Ladder

Crack CrossClimb #738: The Moley to Maker Climb

LinkedIn's CrossClimb #738 packs five clues into a tight word ladder, starting with a rhyming surprise expression and climbing to a compound powerhouse. Each step swaps exactly one letter, forging connections across animals, gender, romance, and legacy. The finale reveals a duo describing a cash generator. Spot the shifts, nail the clues, and claim that Aha! rush.

Step-by-Step Ladder Breakdown

Begin with Clue 1: Word following "holy" in a rhyming expression of surprise. Think cartoonish exclamations like "Holy moly!" Yields MOLEY.

Step 1 to 2: Swap the final Y for S. Clue 2: Animals who burrow underground. MOLES fits perfectly, tunneling from exclamation to earth-dwellers.

Step 2 to 3: Swap the first M for A. Clue 3: Bucks and stallions, e.g. Male deer and horses share this trait: MALES. Logic locks in with gendered animal references.

Step 3 to 4: Swap the third L for T. Clue 4: Romantic partners. From singular males to paired MATES, a smooth relational pivot.

Step 4 to 5: Swap the fourth S for R. Clue 5: Alma ___ (a university, to its alumni). Latin for "mother" school: MATER. Ties nostalgia to the chain.

The Compound Climax

Top and bottom words form A compound word for a thing or person that produces a lot of cash: MONEY over MAKER. From MATER, envision MONEY (swap T-E-R for N-E-Y) at the peak and MAKER (swap M-A-T-E-R ladder logic extends) at the base. This duo snaps the puzzle shut, rewarding clue mastery with thematic payoff.

Tactics for Victory

• Clue Precision: Anchor on vivid images. Burrowers scream moles; bucks scream males.
• Swap Discipline: Test positions methodically. Vowels and consonants alternate pressures.
• Compound Foresight: Mid-ladder, brainstorm cash creators. Money echoes the M-theme.

Revisit stalled steps. One swap unlocks the flow. You've got the edge; climb it.