CrossClimb #804: Clues from BONE to BOND and the DONE & DEAL Compound
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CrossClimb #804
LinkedIn CrossClimb #804 for July 13, 2026 full solution with hints, top and bottom answers. Hints: Radius or ulna, for example, Last name of fictional spy James (007), Flex a joint like an elbow or knee, Round object that might be part of a necklace, or a drop of sweat, Play ___ (lie on the ground without moving), A two-word idiomatic phrase that describes a completed agreement that cannot be changed.
CrossClimb #804: The Ladder from BONE to DEAD
Welcome to CrossClimb #804, a Start-to-Finish logic puzzle where five distinct clues guide you through a word ladder, culminating in a two-word idiomatic phrase that seals a completed agreement.
Decoding the Five Clues
Each clue points to a specific four-letter word. The logic is straightforward wit:
- Clue 1: "Radius or ulna, for example" refers to skeletal structures, pointing to
BONE. - Clue 2: "Last name of fictional spy James (007)" is the iconic
BOND. - Clue 3: "Flex a joint like an elbow or knee" describes the action
BEND. - Clue 4: "Round object that might be part of a necklace, or a drop of sweat" is a
BEAD. - Clue 5: "Play ___ (lie on the ground without moving)" completes the phrase "Play DEAD">.
The Word Ladder: Step-by-Step Swaps
The puzzle requires arranging these words into a ladder where each step differs by exactly one letter. Here is the explicit swap logic proving the sequence:
1. START: BONE ↓ Swap the 3rd letter: N → N (Wait, BONE → BOND swaps 4th letter) Correction: BONE → BOND swaps the 4th letter (E → D). Word: BOND 2. BOND → BEND Swap the 3rd letter: O → E. Word: BEND 3. BEND → BEAD Swap the 3rd letter: N → A. Word: BEAD 4. BEAD → DEAD Swap the 1st letter: B → D. Word: DEAD (END)
The final sequence is: BONE → BOND → BEND → BEAD → DEAD.
Revealing the Compound Final
The ladder's first word (BONE) and last word (DEAD) provide the letters for the final combo. However, the puzzle explicitly yields the phrase DONE & DEAL. This is the classic idiomatic expression for a completed agreement that cannot be changed.
How do the clues tie together? The ladder connects anatomy (BONE), espionage (BOND), physical movement (BEND), small objects (BEAD), and a state of non-movement (DEAD). The final compound DONE & DEAL acts as the "finish line" of the agreement, just as DEAD is the finish line of the ladder. The puzzle cleverly uses the "Start to Finish" mechanic to mirror the process of making a deal: you start with the pieces (the clues) and finish with the seal (Done & Deal).
Final Strategy Takeaway
To solve CrossClimb #804, focus on the single-letter swap rule. If your answer to a clue doesn't fit the ladder, check if one letter changed from the previous word. This constraint is the key to unlocking the final compound pair.