LinkedIn Pinpoint Answer for September 26, 2025
LINKEDIN PINPOINT CLUES
September 26, 2025
Time
Ice
Sewing
Vending
Automatic Telling
Clue Meanings Explained
For each clue, provide a pairing of its just meaning
Time
This refers to the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
Ice
This represents water frozen into a solid state, typically used for cooling drinks or preserving perishable items.
Sewing
This is the craft of fastening or attaching objects using stitches made with a needle and thread, often used in making clothing or upholstery.
Vending
This describes the act of selling small items, such as snacks, beverages, or tickets, usually through a mechanized process without a human clerk.
Automatic Telling
This is a specific banking term related to the automated process of providing account information and dispensing cash to customers.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When I first sat down to tackle today’s Pinpoint, the first clue I saw was "Time." As an analyst, my brain immediately went into overdrive. "Time" is such a broad concept that it could lead anywhere. I initially thought about "Clocks," "Physics," or perhaps "Travel." I even entertained the idea that the category might be "Units of Measurement." Without a second clue, it’s almost impossible to narrow it down, so I didn't submit an answer just yet.
Then came the second clue: "Ice." Now I had "Time" and "Ice" to work with. My first instinct was to look for a shared word that could follow both. I thought about "Age"—as in "Ice Age"—but "Time Age" didn't really make sense. Then I thought about "Tray," but a "Time Tray" isn't a thing. I was a bit stuck, wondering if the connection was more about the state of matter or perhaps something related to "Cooling."
The breakthrough happened with the third clue, "Sewing." The moment I saw "Sewing," the lightbulb finally clicked. I looked back at the list: Time, Ice, and Sewing. I tried adding a common word to the end of each. Time machine? Ice machine? Sewing machine? It fit perfectly. In the world of Pinpoint, identifying a common suffix is a classic winning strategy.
To be absolutely certain before hitting that submit button, I looked at the fourth clue, "Vending." A vending machine is one of the most common mechanical devices we interact with daily. This confirmed the pattern beyond any doubt. The final clue, "Automatic Telling," was the cherry on top. While we usually just say "ATM," the "M" stands for "Machine."
The logic was sound across all five clues. Every single one of these words is a common descriptor for a specific type of machine. It’s a great example of how the puzzle moves from very abstract concepts (Time) to very specific, literal objects (Vending) to lead you to the finish line.
Lessons Learned From Today's Pinpoint Solution
* The Power of the Suffix: Many Pinpoint puzzles rely on a hidden word that can be placed either before or after every clue. When you get stuck, try "testing" common words like machine, house, paper, or light against your clues.
* Don't Ignore Acronyms: The clue "Automatic Telling" was a clever way to hide the word "ATM." Always be on the lookout for the full names of common abbreviations, as they are a favorite trick for puzzle creators.
* Wait for the Third Clue: While it's tempting to guess after two clues, the third clue is usually where the "thematic bridge" becomes clear. In this case, "Sewing" was the pivot point that eliminated the "Age" or "Clock" theories.
* Contextual Flexibility: You have to be willing to jump from sci-fi concepts (Time Machine) to kitchen appliances (Ice Machine) to banking (ATM). Don't let yourself get boxed into one specific industry or theme.
Expert Q&A
Why was "Automatic Telling" used as a clue instead of just saying "ATM"?
The goal of Pinpoint is to provide clues that are descriptive but not immediately obvious. Using the full phrase "Automatic Telling" forces the player to translate the phrase back into its common acronym, adding a layer of difficulty that "ATM" would have lacked.
Is a "Time Machine" considered a real machine in the context of this puzzle?
Yes. In word association puzzles, the items don't necessarily have to be physical objects you can touch in the real world; they just need to be established linguistic phrases. Since "Time Machine" is a staple of literature and film, it functions perfectly as a clue.
Can the word "Machine" come before any of these clues?
No, in this specific puzzle, the logic only works if "Machine" follows the clues. "Machine sewing" is a phrase, but "Machine ice" or "Machine time" are not standard English constructions. This identifies "Machine" as a suffix.
What is the best way to handle very short clues like "Ice" or "Time"?
The best approach is to brainstorm as many compound words as possible for each. For "Ice," you might think of ice cream, ice cube, or ice pick. For "Time," you think of time zone, time limit, or time machine. You then look for the overlap between those lists.
Are there other types of machines that could have fit this puzzle?
Absolutely. The creators could have used clues like "Washing," "Answering," "Fax," or "Pinball." The beauty of this puzzle format is that it selects a