Wall Street Journal Crossword

July 16, 2025

Gary Larson and Amy Ensz 

The five words below can be preceded by five different words to make familiar phrases. The five preceding words will also have something in common. Can you sort it all out?

1. HEART   

2. HANDS

3. HATCH 

4. SOUP

5. BALL

 

HINT:

1. LOSE HEART

 

Answers to preceding words:

 

1. LOSE HEART

2. SHAKE HANDS

3. ESCAPE HATCH

4. DUCK SOUP

5. DODGE BALL

 

What the preceding words have in common:

 

Each of the five preceding words, in one sense, means to AVOID.