Land with a ___ (fail)
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 28, 2026
Stuck on the clue Land with a ___ (fail) from the New York Times Mini for March 28, 2026? We have the correct 4-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
Land with a ___ (fail) (4)
Answer
The answer to Land with a ___ (fail) is Thud (4 letters).
Why does Thud fit this clue?
This is a fill-in-the-blank clue where 'Land with a ___' needs THUD to complete the common phrase 'land with a thud.' A thud is a dull, heavy sound made when something solid hits a surface without bouncing. The phrase 'land with a thud' means to fail completely or fall flat, especially after high expectations, like a joke that gets no laughs or a product launch that flops. The physical sound of a thud perfectly captures the sense of something dropping heavily and staying down, which makes it an ideal metaphor for failure.
What does Land with a ___ (fail) mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
land
verb
•to arrive or come to rest in a particular place or situation
fail
verb
•to be unsuccessful in achieving something
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 7-down in the New York Times Mini on March 28, 2026, by Sam Ezersky, edited by Joel Fagliano. See all answers for this puzzle.
NYT Mini — Mar 28, 2026
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What does Thud mean?
noun
•The sound of a dull impact.
•Republic F-105 Thunderchief jet ground attack fighter.
verb
•To make the sound of a dull impact.
Origin of the word Thud
•origin: Middle English
•period: 14th century
The word 'thud' is onomatopooeic, originally imitating the sound of a heavy blow or fall, and may be related to the Old English 'thudian' meaning to strike or push violently.
How to use Thud in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Thud.
•“His ambitious presentation landed with a thud when the investors showed no interest and asked no questions.”
•“The heavy book fell off the shelf and hit the floor with a loud thud.”
•“She heard a dull thud coming from upstairs and went to investigate what had fallen.”
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Mini, Mar 28, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Mini for March 28, 2026 was published by Sam Ezersky and has 14 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about Land with a ___ (fail)
- What is the answer to Land with a ___ (fail)?
- The answer is Thud (4 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Mini on March 28, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to Land with a ___ (fail) have?
- The answer has 4 letters: Thud.
Author
Naitik Mehta
Co-founder
Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Mini — Mar 28, 2026
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