LinkedIn Pinpoint #796 Answer for Sunday, July 5, 2026

Today’s LinkedIn Pinpoint puzzle is a fantastic example of how a single, short word can wear many different hats depending on the context. If you’ve ever felt like English is a confusing language, this specific puzzle proves why! We are looking at the word “clip,” which is actually a "contronym" in some cases—a word that can mean two opposite things (like attaching something together or cutting something apart).

Let’s break down exactly how this word functions across different scenarios and how we could have navigated the clues to find the answer.

Deep Clue Analysis

For each clue, provide a pairing of its just meaning

A rapid pace

The Meaning of the Clue: This refers to the speed at which something is moving, often used in the phrase "moving at a fast clip."

Hit at an angle

The Meaning of the Clue: This describes a glancing blow or a light strike that doesn't hit the target head-on but rather catches the edge.

Small metal fastener for paper

The Meaning of the Clue: This is the literal physical object, usually made of bent wire, used to hold a few sheets of paper together temporarily.

Cut with scissors

The Meaning of the Clue: This is the action of trimming, pruning, or removing a small section of something using a sharp tool.

Short segment of a film

The Meaning of the Clue: This refers to a brief excerpt or a snippet of video footage taken from a longer movie or recording.

How we solved it based on the clues

When I first saw the clue "A rapid pace," my mind immediately went to words like "Tempo," "Stride," or even "Gallop." In the context of a game like Pinpoint, you’re usually looking for a word that can be a noun or a verb. I briefly considered "Speed," but that didn't feel quite right for a multi-meaning puzzle. I wasn't 100% sure, so I moved on to the next clue to see if a pattern would emerge.

When "Hit at an angle" popped up, I started thinking about physics or sports. Words like "Glance" or "Deflect" came to mind. But then I remembered the sports term where a player might "clip" another player’s heels or a car might "clip" a guardrail. Suddenly, I realized that "clip" also fits the first clue perfectly—people often say they are traveling at a "steady clip." This was the first moment where the answer started to take shape in my head.

The third clue, "Small metal fastener for paper," was the absolute clincher. There is really only one common word for that: a paper clip. At this point, I was 95% certain the answer was "clip," but I wanted to see how the rest of the clues supported it to be sure I wasn't falling into a trap.

The fourth clue, "Cut with scissors," confirmed the "contronym" nature of the word. It’s funny because a clip can hold things together (like the paper fastener), but to clip something also means to cut it off (like clipping a coupon or a hedge). It’s a complete reversal of meaning, which is a classic trick used in these puzzles.

Finally, "Short segment of a film" was the victory lap. We see "movie clips" or "video clips" every day on social media. By the time I reached this fifth clue, all the different definitions had converged perfectly on one four-letter word. It’s a great reminder of how versatile our daily vocabulary really is.

Lessons Learned from this pinpoint

• Watch out for contronyms. Some of the best Pinpoint puzzles use words that mean their own opposite. "Clip" is a prime example because it means both to attach and to detach. When you see clues that seem to contradict each other, look for a word that handles both sides of the coin.

• Don't ignore common idioms. The clue "A rapid pace" is hard to solve if you only think of the literal dictionary definition of the word. You have to think about how we actually speak in real life. Recognizing the phrase "moving at a fast clip" is the key to unlocking that specific clue.

• Use the "Concrete Clue" as your anchor. In every puzzle, there is usually one clue that is much more literal than the others. "Small metal fastener for paper" is a very literal description of a physical object. If you find a clue like that, use it as your base and see if that word fits the more abstract clues like "a rapid pace."

• Contextual shifting is key. To be a pro at this game, you have to be able to jump from office supplies (paper clips) to cinematography (film clips) to physical actions (hitting at an angle) instantly. Training your brain to look at a word from five different angles is the best way to improve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is "clip" considered a "Janus word"?
A: Yes, "clip" is a classic Janus word (another name for a contronym). Much like the Roman god Janus, who had two faces looking in opposite directions, the word can mean to bind things together or to cut them apart.

Q: Why do we use the word "clip" to describe speed or pace?
A: This usage likely comes from the world of horse racing or sailing. It originally referred to a "clean" or "clipping" movement through water or over ground, eventually evolving into the idiomatic expression for moving quickly.

Q: Can "clip" be used as a slang term as well?
**A: Yes, in various contexts, "clip" can mean to cheat someone out of money or,