Daily Orbs answers for November 5, 2026
November 5, 2026 has four puzzles: In Other Words VI, Brush or Baton? II, Architectural Details II, Flag Details: Weapons. Hints are the public descriptions. The answer rows stay inside each puzzle until you open it. Status for the day: 1 source.
In Other Words VI
Complete these familiar phrases. (Edition theme: Sport.)
Themed clue set · Vocabulary, Sports · In Other Words · 1 source
Editorial explanation: Use the definition to recover a familiar expression, then check its words against the supplied initials. Give up points to throw in the towel, while changing the requirements points to move the goalposts; the sports connection ties the edition together without requiring a literal sporting answer.
| Clue | Answer | Why | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Give up and admit defeat. T. in the T. | Throw in the towel | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Completely unexpected or surprising. out of L. F. | Out of left field | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Change the requirements after someone has already started trying to meet them. M. the G. | Move the goalposts | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Normal or expected in these circumstances. P. for the C. | Par for the course | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Struggling badly and close to defeat. on the R. | On the ropes | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| With no limits on how fiercely people compete or argue. no H. B. | No holds barred | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| A situation where everyone has a fair and equal chance. a L. P. F. | A level playing field | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Unfairly personal or cruel, as an insult can be. B. the B. | Below the belt | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
Brush or Baton? II
Classify each term as painting or music.
Sort into categories · Vocabulary, Music, Arts & Crafts · Brush or Baton? · 1 source
Editorial explanation: Decide whether the term describes making a visual work or performing music. Arpeggio goes in Music because it concerns notes, while fresco goes in Painting because it concerns applying pigment; the terminology can sound unfamiliar even when the underlying action is clear.
| Clue | Answer | Why | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arpeggio | Music | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Cadenza | Music | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Fresco | Painting | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Glissando | Music | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Grisaille | Painting | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Hemiola | Music | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Imprimatura | Painting | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Pentimento | Painting | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Ripieno | Music | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Spolvero | Painting | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Stretto | Music | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Verdaccio | Painting | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
Architectural Details II
Match each architectural feature to its photograph.
Matching pairs (bijection) · Vocabulary, Arts & Crafts · Architectural Details · 1 source
Editorial explanation: Identify the function of the feature before matching the photograph. A portico is a roofed entrance with columns, while a portcullis is the vertically moving grille of a gateway, so an entrance alone does not distinguish the two.
| Clue | Answer | Why | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gargoyle | A projecting waterspout, not just a decorative creature | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Quoins | The large stones reinforcing and defining the corner | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Portico | A roofed entrance supported by columns | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Portcullis | A heavy grille that slides vertically to close a gateway | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Turret | Turret | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Arcade | A row of arches supported by columns or piers | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Corbel | The projecting bracket carries the balcony above | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Cornice | Cornice | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Pilaster | A shallow, rectangular column attached to the wall | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Keystone | The wedge-shaped stone at the centre of the arch | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
Flag Details: Weapons
Match each country to a weapon detail on its flag.
Matching pairs (bijection) · Flags · 1 source
Editorial explanation: The task uses a cropped detail rather than a complete flag, so compare the weapon motif with the country labels on the official board. Angola’s detail must be paired with Angola, and Barbados’s with Barbados; use the full flag as a cross-check when a small crop is hard to identify.
| Clue | Answer | Why | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angola | View Angola visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Barbados | View Barbados visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Ecuador | View Ecuador visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Guatemala | View Guatemala visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Haiti | View Haiti visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Kenya | View Kenya visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Mozambique | View Mozambique visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Oman | View Oman visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Saudi Arabia | View Saudi Arabia visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
| Sri Lanka | View Sri Lanka visual answer on the official puzzle | Official explanation; see the editorial explanation above for the solving pattern. | 1 source |
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Sources
Checked: 13 Nov 2026.