How to Solve LinkedIn CrossClimb #553: From 'Bury the Hatchet' to Courthouse Deliberations

LinkedIn CrossClimb #553 – November 4, 2025 presents a challenging word ladder puzzle where each step changes exactly one letter from the previous word, guided by clues.

Here's a detailed breakdown of how to solve this edition, focusing on the logical reasoning behind each answer and aligning with the game’s rules.

Step 1: Understanding the Clues and One-Letter Change Rule

• The puzzle starts with a known phrase: "___ the hatchet (end a quarrel)." The answer is "bury", meaning to settle differences.
• From there, each subsequent word must differ from the previous word by exactly one letter, preserving position of all other letters.

Step 2: Walking Through Each Hint and Answer

Hint 1: "___ the hatchet (end a quarrel)"

bury

Explanation: "Bury the hatchet" is a common idiom meaning to make peace. This five-letter word sets the foundation.

Hint 2: "Set fire to"

burn

From bury, changing the last letter y to n results in burn, which means "set fire to." This fits the one-letter change perfectly.

Hint 3: "First ___ (eldest child)"

born

Change the second letter u in burn to o, producing born. "First born" denotes the eldest child.

Hint 4: "Helpful thing (that in reverse means a beginner in internet slang)"

boon

The word changes one letter from born: change the last letter r to o. "Boon" means a blessing or helpful thing. Reversed, "noob" is slang for a beginner.

Hint 5: "Sound of an explosion"

boom

Swap the last letter n in boon to m to get boom, imitating an explosion sound.

Step 3: Final Compound Question – Location of Deliberations

The compound clue asks for a two-word answer describing where deliberations occur in a courtroom:

• Top word: jury
• Bottom word: room

Both words are connected by the one-letter difference rule, fitting the game's logic. The jury room is the standard location where court deliberations take place.

Summary of the Ladder Sequence

bury (end a quarrel)
burn (set fire to)
born (first child)
boon (helpful thing / reverse "noob")
boom (sound of an explosion)

jury room (court deliberations)

Tips for Solving CrossClimb Puzzles Like #553

• Start with the easiest clues to get secure footholds.
• Remember each step changes exactly one letter; check positions carefully.
• Use the clues' meanings and common phrases as your guide.
• For reversals like "boon"/"noob," think creatively about wordplay.
• Look for the logical progression and thematic connections between clues.

LinkedIn CrossClimb challenges sharpen vocabulary, pattern recognition, and lateral thinking. By following these steps and carefully applying the one-letter change rule between steps, you’ll efficiently climb to the final solution.

This walkthrough demonstrates the thought process behind solving puzzle ID 553 published on November 4, 2025, part of the daily CrossClimb series on LinkedIn.