Working on the LA Times clue “Withdrawal aid”? Below you’ll find solver-friendly hints, a spoiler-safe reveal, and a quick breakdown of why the entry fits common crossword conventions. For daily help and a growing archive of clue explanations, visit Clue of the Day.
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Why “ATMCARD” Fits This Clue
Editors often write concise noun clues like “Withdrawal aid” to point at common financial tools. An ATM card enables cash withdrawals at automated teller machines using a PIN. In crossword form, multi-word terms are typically entered without spaces, so ATM card becomes ATMCARD.
If you considered “PIN,” “debit,” or “teller,” you were close to the banking domain but not the specific aid implied. The clue nudges you toward the object that facilitates the transaction, rather than a person (teller) or a code (PIN). Crossings usually lock this in quickly thanks to common letters (A, T, M, C, R, D).
Note that some banks combine debit and ATM functionality on a single card, but crosswords stick to the clean entry that solvers recognize. When you see “aid,” think: tool or device—and check your crossings to confirm.
Strategy: Spot the “X aid” Pattern
When a clue uses the construction “[Noun] aid”, it often indicates an instrument rather than a person. Keep a mental list of common banking and tech entries (ATMCARD, DEBITCARD, PINPAD, KEYCARD). On mid-week grids, these usually fall once you anchor two or three crossings.
