Lead off

USA Today Up & Down Words clue · answer #3 in the chain · last seen June 13, 2026

Answer
BAT
FIRST
BAT FIRST · 8 letters · two-word phrase

About this clue

The Up & Down Words clue “Lead off” has the answer BAT FIRST. It is answer #3 in the chain — in this puzzle, the second word of each answer becomes the first word of the next. See the full June 13, 2026 chain for all seven answers, or browse every Up & Down Words puzzle.