LinkedIn Crossclimb #879 Answer & Analysis

()

What connects CLEAN to SWEEP in LinkedIn Crossclimb 879 — and why? We've got you covered! Try the hints first — you might crack it before the reveal.

Puzzle Number

879

Date

2026-09-26

Top

CLEAN

→

Bottom

SWEEP

Answers for Clues

1.

Spike in a World Cup player's footwear

••••••

2.

Peek at a classmate's test, say

••••••

3.

Crude and unimaginative, as a trick

••••••

4.

Little sound from a nest

••••••

5.

Animals often herded by dogs

••••••

Word Ladder

CLEAN
CLEAT
CHEAT
CHEAP
CHEEP
SHEEP
SWEEP

Crossclimb 879 Answer & Solution Guide

Answer: CLEAN SWEEP 🌟

🎮 Puzzle Overview

Crossclimb 879 starts with CLEAN and ends with SWEEP. Together they form CLEAN SWEEP, a phrase for winning every part of a competition.

The five middle answers are CLEAT, CHEAT, CHEAP, CHEEP, and SHEEP. Each step changes exactly one letter while keeping every word at five letters.

🪜 Complete Word Ladder

Position Word Clue or Role Letter Change
Top CLEAN First part of clean sweep Starting word
1 CLEAT Spike in a World Cup player's footwear N → T
2 CHEAT Peek at a classmate's test, say L → H
3 CHEAP Crude and unimaginative, as a trick T → P
4 CHEEP Little sound from a nest A → E
5 SHEEP Animals often herded by dogs C → S
Bottom SWEEP Second part of clean sweep H → W

🧠 Player Solution Walkthrough

Step 1: Understanding the Puzzle

The theme clue describes victory in every part of a competition. The familiar expression clean sweep identifies the endpoint words CLEAN and SWEEP.

Step 2: Starting from the Top

"Spike in a World Cup player's footwear" gives CLEAT. It follows CLEAN by changing only the final letter from N to T.

Step 3: Building the Middle

"Peek at a classmate's test, say" is CHEAT, one letter away from CLEAT. "Crude and unimaginative, as a trick" then gives CHEAP, changing the final letter.

Step 4: Connecting to the Bottom

"Little sound from a nest" gives CHEEP, followed by SHEEP for animals often herded by dogs. One final change from H to W reaches SWEEP.

Step 5: Final Answer

The complete ladder is CLEAN → CLEAT → CHEAT → CHEAP → CHEEP → SHEEP → SWEEP, revealing the answer CLEAN SWEEP.

📚 Word Reference

Word Meaning
CLEAN Free from dirt; here, part of the phrase clean sweep.
CLEAT A projecting stud or spike on athletic footwear.
CHEAT To act dishonestly or copy another person's work.
CHEAP Low-priced, or crude and lacking originality.
CHEEP A short, high-pitched sound made by a young bird.
SHEEP Woolly animals commonly managed by shepherds and dogs.
SWEEP To clear with a brush; here, complete victory in a series.

❓ FAQ

Q1: What is the answer to Crossclimb 879?

The final answer is CLEAN SWEEP.

Q2: What is the complete word ladder?

The ladder is CLEAN → CLEAT → CHEAT → CHEAP → CHEEP → SHEEP → SWEEP.

Q3: How many middle answers are there?

There are five: CLEAT, CHEAT, CHEAP, CHEEP, and SHEEP.

Q4: What does clean sweep mean?

A clean sweep is a victory in every contest, category, or part of a competition.

Q5: What is the trickiest clue?

"Little sound from a nest" may be the trickiest because CHEEP is less common in everyday writing than the sound-alike word "cheap."

Q6: Why does SHEEP come before SWEEP?

SHEEP and SWEEP differ by only one letter, making SHEEP the required final middle rung.

🎯 Strategy Tips

  1. Use the theme clue to identify the top-and-bottom phrase first.
  2. Confirm that neighboring words differ by exactly one letter.
  3. Watch for homophones such as CHEAP and CHEEP.
  4. Use the most specific clues, like CLEAT and SHEEP, as anchors.

You Might Also Like

Similar Puzzles from the same time period or theme