USA Today Up & Down Words October 1, 2026 Answers

MEMaya EllisonPuzzle Editor · Verified answers

The complete Thursday word chain — 7 two-word answers, each linking into the next. Puzzle by David L. Hoyt.

Thursday7 answersUSA Today

The Chain

1 Set free LET GO

2 "Who'd have thunk?" GO FIGURE

3 Solve, as a problem FIGURE OUT

4 Unconscious OUT COLD

5 Gazpacho, e.g. COLD SOUP

6 Charity dining facility SOUP KITCHEN

7 Cupboard for dishes KITCHEN CABINET

About this puzzle

This page lists the complete answer chain for the USA Today Up & Down Words published on October 1, 2026. Each answer is a two-word phrase, and the second word of every answer is the first word of the next one down. Tap any clue to open that answer's own page.