Just about anything on a string is a crossword clue from the New York Times puzzle dated December 17, 2025. The answer is CATTOY , a six-letter term that cleverly captures how cats chase almost any dangling object on a string, from yarn to feathers.

Answer Breakdown

This clue plays on the universal image of feline playfulness. Cats pounce on virtually anything suspended by string, making CATTOY a perfect fit—straightforward yet whimsical for solvers.

Multiple crossword databases confirm this as the sole solution, last verified in late 2025 puzzles.

Word length (6 letters) and crossing letters like C-A-T-T-O-Y align precisely with the grid.

Why It Fits Perfectly

  • Literal Sense : Toys for cats often feature strings, lasers, or ribbons—items cats bat at endlessly.
  • Clue Craft : "Just about anything" implies broad appeal, nodding to cats' indiscriminate curiosity with stringed lures.
  • Puzzle Context : Appeared in NYT's daily, alongside clues like "Hog's home" (STY) and "Chevy S.U.V." (TAHOE).

Solver Tips

Crossword enthusiasts on forums note similar string-themed clues often evoke pets or puppets, but CATTOY dominates here due to recency and exclusivity.

For tough grids, check intersections: expect T's from nearby downs like "Throw off" (JETE).

TL;DR : CATTOY nails "just about anything on a string" from NYT Dec 17, 2025.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.