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Hi and bye when Italian-American spies pizza (4)

Minute Cryptic clue · November 12, 2026 · answer and full explanation
By Ahmed Hassan
Answer verified against the live puzzle

The Minute Cryptic clue “Hi and bye when Italian-American spies pizza” (4) was set for Thursday, November 12, 2026. Below is the answer — blurred until you tap — followed by the definition, the wordplay and why the letters land where they do.

Minute Cryptic · November 12, 2026

Hi and bye when Italian-American spies pizza

(4)

The answer isCIAO

No spoilers — the answer stays blurred until you tap.

Letters 4Set by Dunc with Liam (community)Par 2Solvers 18,753

The clue, colour-coded

Hi and bye when Italian-American spies pizza
DefinitionWordplay / fodderLinking words

How this clue works

The definition

Hi and bye when Italian

Our definition here is 'Hi and bye when Italian', and our answer will be something that fits this description.

The wordplay

American spies + pizza

This clue's fodder is 'American spies' and 'pizza'. We'll need to find substitutes for both of these - one a common substitute, the other suggested by its shape - and combine them to construct our answer.

The answer

CIAO

The clue reads “Hi and bye when Italian-American spies pizza” (4). The definition part — “Hi and bye when Italian” — points straight at CIAO, and the rest of the clue builds it through wordplay.

Minute Cryptic publishes a short walkthrough for this clue — watch Dunc with Liam’s own explanation →

This clue’s puzzle day

This clue was the Minute Cryptic for Thursday, November 12, 2026. Open the November 12, 2026 puzzle page for that day’s write-up, or browse the full Minute Cryptic archive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the answer to “Hi and bye when Italian-American spies pizza”?
The answer is CIAO (4 letters). Tap the reveal button above to see it in the answer card.
How do I read a cryptic clue like this?
Every cryptic clue has two halves: a straight definition (at the start or the end) and a piece of wordplay that builds the same word letter by letter. Find the definition first, count the letters from the enumeration, then work out which trick the rest of the clue is playing.
Is there a new Minute Cryptic every day?
Yes — one cryptic clue a day at minutecryptic.com, plus community-set clues. We publish each day’s answer and breakdown here shortly after it goes live.