Rebus Puzzles
Hi! I am Ollie. Welcome to Rebus Town!
Inside you will find a whole town of rebus puzzles, all kinds, waiting to be cracked. Good luck, and have fun!
A rebus hides a phrase in how words sit on the page. Position, size, and repetition all matter. Crack your first one and the rest get addictive fast.
Explore rebus puzzles12
Dingbats (Whatzit) Puzzles35puzzles
Rebus Puzzles for Adults40puzzles
Rebus Puzzles for Kids32puzzles
Hard & Tricky Rebus Puzzles40puzzles
Christmas Rebus Puzzles30puzzles
Rebus Crosswords: How Rebus Clues Work50puzzles
76 Easy Rebus Puzzles with Answers76rebus puzzles
49 Emoji Rebus Puzzles with Answers49rebus puzzles
Halloween Rebus Puzzles33puzzles
What Is a Rebus Puzzle?34examples
30 Tricky Rebus Puzzles with Answers30rebus puzzles
40 Rebus Puzzles with Answers40rebus puzzles
Print these rebus puzzles
Grab the whole set as a printable PDF. Puzzles first, full answer key on the last pages.
Download the printable PDF (with answers)Browse all the puzzles on this page ▾
Classic rebus puzzles with answers
Rebus examples show a phrase hidden in how words and letters are arranged. GRADE printed reading upward is upgrade. LIVED spelled backwards is devil. FACED shown twice reads two-faced. AGE stacked with a circle on the middle copy is middle age. Position, size, count and direction all carry the meaning. This page collects our classic set with an answer behind every card, and each reveal explains which arrangement produced the phrase, so every solve teaches a pattern you will use on the next one. If you are new to rebuses, start here before the kids and hard sets: the classics below cover the core tricks that every other rebus set in this collection builds on.
Easy rebus puzzles for kids
Kids often beat adults at these, since fresh eyes spot the visual trick faster.
Tricky rebus riddles for adults
Some entries stack two or three tricks at once. Say every visual fact out loud and the phrase appears.
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1. Sound out the pictures.
Need a hint?
Read the word, then name the pictures. Two of them means you say it as a plural.
Show answer
Silver bells. The word SILVER followed by two BELLS reads silver bells, the Christmas song.
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2. Sound out the pictures.
Need a hint?
The animal is a homophone: say it the way you would start a letter.
Show answer
Dear Santa. The deer emoji sounds like DEAR, giving the classic letter greeting DEAR SANTA.
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3. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
The ink color is a clue: say it as an adjective.
Show answer
Golden opportunity. OPPORTUNITY spelled out in solid gold - a golden opportunity, treasure included.
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4. Sound out the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name the animal, then say where it has snuck into.
Show answer
A fox in the henhouse. The fox has let himself into HENHOUSE, and the hens should be very worried.
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5. Sound out the pictures.
Need a hint?
Say what the bugs are, then where they have crawled.
Show answer
Ants in your pants. Three ants have moved into PANTS, which explains all the squirming.
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6. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
The picture is a cloud; the number on it names it.
Show answer
Cloud nine. A cloud wearing the number 9 - cloud nine, the place overjoyed people never want to leave.
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7. Sound out the pictures.
Need a hint?
Say the body part, then say where it is stuck.
Show answer
A foot in the door. The foot is wedged inside DOOR, which is step one of every sales career.
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8. Sound out the pictures.
Need a hint?
Do not squish the two pictures into one word; say the top one, its position, then the bottom one.
Show answer
Eye on the ball. The eye is resting on the ball, doing exactly what every coach has ever yelled.
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9. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Two commas in front bite two letters off the front of the word.
Show answer
Ace. Two leading commas cut the P and L from PLACE, leaving the ACE.
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10. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Two commas after the word eat its last two letters.
Show answer
Spa. Two trailing commas soak the R and K off SPARK: welcome to the SPA.
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11. Read it out loud.
Need a hint?
That little mark is a music note: sing its name, then glue on the rest.
Show answer
Donut (do + nut). The note DO plus NUT bakes a DONUT.
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12. Read it out loud.
Need a hint?
The note from the do-re-mi scale starts the word; the rest follows.
Show answer
Mirage (mi + rage). The note MI plus RAGE shimmers into a MIRAGE.
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13. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Count how many copies you see, then say the word exactly as printed.
Show answer
Two-faced. The word FACED appears two times, so you read the count plus the word: two-faced.
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14. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Watch what the letters do from left to right, the phrase says the same thing happens to a story.
Show answer
The plot thickens. The words THE PLOT are drawn with letters that keep getting bigger and heavier: the plot thickens.
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15. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Say the direction the letters travel first, then the word itself.
Show answer
Upgrade. GRADE is printed reading upward: up plus grade makes upgrade.
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16. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
The repetition is a decoy. The circle picks a position in the column.
Show answer
Middle age. The circle picks the middle copy of AGE in the column: middle age.
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17. Sound out the pictures.
Need a hint?
Say the two pictures out loud and blend them into one flying animal.
Show answer
Reindeer games. RAIN plus DEER said together sounds like REINDEER, followed by GAMES.
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18. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
The backwards arrow flips the reading order of the letters.
Show answer
Devil. LIVED read in reverse spells DEVIL.
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19. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Honeybee (honey + bee). The bee even makes the honey right there on the card.
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20. Which word do the pictures spell?
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Fireman (fire + man). A hero rebus that clicks the instant you look.
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21. Add the letter, then name the picture.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Pant (p + ant). Same little ant, now huffing and puffing.
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22. Add the letter, then name the picture.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Rice (r + ice). An ice cube chills into a warm bowl of grains.
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23. Name the picture, then add the letter.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Team (tea + m). A steaming teacup rallies into a group that plays together.
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24. Name the picture, then add the letter.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Rate (rat + e). A sneaky rat earns a shiny five-star score.
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25. Add the letter, then name the picture.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Chat (c + hat). A friendly hat leans in for a little talk.
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26. Name the picture, then add the letter.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Belly (bell + y). A ringing bell jiggles into a happy tummy.
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27. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Housefly (house + fly). House plus fly makes the buzzy guest at every picnic.
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28. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Foxhole (fox + hole). A sly fox tucked snugly into its den.
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29. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Catwalk (cat + walk). Strut down the runway just like a proud kitty.
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30. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Sheepdog (sheep + dog). The herder and its flock both stand right on the card.
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31. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Sawhorse (saw + horse). A workbench critter with a fun name made of two tools.
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32. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Fishcake (fish + cake). A silly-tasty combo of two foods that really do team up.
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33. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Cowhand (cow + hand). Cow plus hand is another word for a ranch helper.
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34. Name the picture, then add the letters.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Piece (pie + ce). A whole pie shrinks into a single little slice of something.
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35. Name the picture, then add the letters.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Sunny (sun + ny). The sun just adds a couple letters to describe itself.
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36. Name the picture, then add the letters.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Corner (corn + er). An ear of corn tucks itself into a snug angle.
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37. Add the letter, then name the picture.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Grain (g + rain). Raindrops harden into one tiny kernel.
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38. Name the picture, then add the letters.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Bugle (bug + le). A little bug blasts a bright marching tune.
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39. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Brown (crown, swap C for B). A royal crown is demoted to a cozy color with one swap.
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40. Name the picture, then add the letter.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Hearth (heart + h). A heart plus a silent H becomes the cozy fireplace floor.
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41. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Golf (wolf, swap W for G). Swap one letter and a howling wolf becomes a quiet sport.
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42. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Poor (door, swap D for P). The double-O makes the door-to-poor swap click just right.
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1001. Say what you see.
Show answer
A haunted house.
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1002. Say what you see.
Show answer
A star on top of the Christmas tree.
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1003. Name the picture, then add the letter.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Bath (bat + h). A spooky bat settles into a warm bubbly soak.
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1004. Say what you see.
Show answer
Beach.
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1005. Which word do the pictures spell?
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Catfish (cat + fish). A whiskered mash-up that kids guess in a blink.
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1006. Say what you see.
Show answer
Canine.
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1007. Say what you see.
Show answer
Downhill.
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1008. Say what you see.
Show answer
Forever.
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1009. Name the picture, then add the letter.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Beard (bear + d). A bear grows a whole face of fuzz with one letter.
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1010. Say what you see.
Show answer
Bowl.
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1011. Which word do the pictures spell?
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Cowboy (cow + boy). A cow and a boy give you a yeehaw with no letters at all.
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1012. Say what you see.
Show answer
Crow.
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1013. Say what you see.
Show answer
I understand.
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1014. Say what you see.
Show answer
Falling snow.
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1015. Say what you see.
Show answer
Four seasons.
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1016. Say what you see.
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Keyring.
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1017. Say what you see.
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A broken heart.
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1018. Say what you see.
Show answer
A ghostwriter.
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1019. Say what you see.
Show answer
A whale of a time.
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1020. Add the letter, then name the picture.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Acorn (a + corn). Corn on the cob shrinks into a tiny oak seed.
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1021. Say what you see.
Show answer
Ace.
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1022. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Band.
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1023. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Bellboy (bell + boy). A tidy rebus for the helper who carries your bags.
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1024. Say what you see.
Show answer
Ducks in a row.
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1025. Say what you see.
Show answer
Feeling down.
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1026. Say what you see.
Show answer
First aid.
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1027. Say what you see.
Show answer
Straw.
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1028. Say what you see.
Show answer
A cat crossing your path.
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1029. Say what you see.
Show answer
A jack-o'-lantern.
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1030. Name the picture, then add the letters.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Antler (ant + ler). A tiny ant sprouts a mighty branching horn.
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1031. Say what you see.
Show answer
Art.
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1032. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Boot.
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1033. Say what you see.
Show answer
Binge watch.
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1034. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Catwalk (cat + walk). Strut down the runway just like a proud kitty.
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1035. Say what you see.
Show answer
Middle age.
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1036. Say what you see.
Show answer
Two left feet.
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1037. Say what you see.
Show answer
Upgrade.
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1038. Say what you see.
Show answer
A friend in need.
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1039. Say what you see.
Show answer
A nightmare.
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1040. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Box (fox, swap F for B). A sly fox folds up into a plain cardboard cube.
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1041. Name the picture, then add the letters.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Bugle (bug + le). A little bug blasts a bright marching tune.
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1042. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Cornbread (corn + bread). Two yummy foods bake into one golden treat.
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1043. Say what you see.
Show answer
Cash cow.
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1044. Say what you see.
Show answer
Middle name.
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1045. Say what you see.
Show answer
A cut above the rest.
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1046. Say what you see.
Show answer
A fox in the henhouse.
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1047. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Bake.
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1048. Say what you see.
Show answer
Bottom line.
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1049. Say what you see.
Show answer
Bottoms up.
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1050. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Dandelion.
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1051. Say what you see.
Show answer
Devil.
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1052. Say what you see.
Show answer
Man overboard.
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1053. Say what you see.
Show answer
Eye on the ball.
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1054. Say what you see.
Show answer
Grin and bear it.
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1055. Say what you see.
Show answer
A frog in your throat.
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1056. Say what you see.
Show answer
A fork in the road.
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1057. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Deck.
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1058. Say what you see.
Show answer
Cut corners.
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1059. Say what you see.
Show answer
Down for the count.
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1060. Say what you see.
Show answer
Mirage (mi + rage).
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1061. Say what you see.
Show answer
Repaid.
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1062. Say what you see.
Show answer
Ants in your pants.
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1063. Say what you see.
Show answer
A match made in heaven.
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1064. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Five (fire, swap R for V). Fire cools into a number with one sneaky middle swap.
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1065. Say what you see.
Show answer
Level up.
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1066. Say what you see.
Show answer
A snow angel.
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1067. Add the letter, then name the picture.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Drain (d + rain). Rain swirls straight down where the water goes.
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1068. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Fishcake (fish + cake). A silly-tasty combo of two foods that really do team up.
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1069. Say what you see.
Show answer
Rain check.
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1070. Say what you see.
Show answer
Think twice.
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1071. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Brown (crown, swap C for B). A royal crown is demoted to a cozy color with one swap.
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1072. Say what you see.
Show answer
Spa.
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1073. Say what you see.
Show answer
The last minute.
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1074. Say what you see.
Show answer
Wrapped up.
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1075. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Duckling.
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1076. Read the pictures.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Shellfish (shell + fish). A shell hugging a fish, about as literal as it gets.
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1077. Say what you see.
Show answer
Snowball effect.
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1078. Say what you see.
Show answer
Sunny side up.
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1079. Say what you see.
Show answer
Anytime.
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1080. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Bun.
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1081. Say what you see.
Show answer
Three cheers.
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1082. Say what you see.
Show answer
Big fish in a small pond.
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1083. Say what you see.
Show answer
Egg on your face.
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1084. Name the picture, then add the letters.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Fishing (fish + ing). A fish caught in the middle of its own verb.
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1085. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Sunup.
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1086. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Coin (corn, swap R for I). Corn flips one letter and turns from food into money.
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1087. Say what you see.
Show answer
Fifth wheel.
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1088. Say what you see.
Show answer
Remind (re + mind).
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1089. Say what you see.
Show answer
Reward.
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1090. Say what you see.
Show answer
Two thumbs up.
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1091. Name the picture, then add the letters.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Rainbow (rain + bow). Rain plus a bow arcs into a sky full of color.
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1092. Say what you see.
Show answer
Star.
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1093. Say what you see.
Show answer
Walking on eggshells.
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1094. Say what you see.
Need a hint?
Name each picture and squash the words together into one.
Show answer
Cakewalk.
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1095. Say what you see.
Show answer
Foresees.
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1096. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Golf (wolf, swap W for G). Swap one letter and a howling wolf becomes a quiet sport.
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1097. Say what you see.
Show answer
A foot in the door.
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1098. Say what you see.
Show answer
Ache.
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1099. Name the picture, then add the letters.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Coward (cow + ard). A brave-looking cow spells the opposite of brave.
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1100. Say what you see.
Show answer
Four eyes.
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1101. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Lake (cake, swap C for L). A birthday cake melts into a calm blue water.
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1102. Say what you see.
Show answer
Actions speak louder than words.
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1103. Say what you see.
Show answer
Bolt from the blue.
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1104. Name the picture, then add the letter.
Need a hint?
Name the picture and add the loose letters.
Show answer
Hearth (heart + h). A heart plus a silent H becomes the cozy fireplace floor.
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1105. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Luck (duck, swap D for L). A quacking duck swaps a letter for pure good fortune.
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1106. Say what you see.
Show answer
Second nature.
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1107. Say what you see.
Show answer
An ace up your sleeve.
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1108. Say what you see.
Show answer
Deer in headlights.
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1109. Swap one letter to make a new word.
Need a hint?
Read the picture, then make the letter swap shown.
Show answer
Pear (bear, swap B for P). A bear morphs into a juicy fruit with a near-rhyme surprise.
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1110. Say what you see.
Show answer
Backseat driver.
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1111. Say what you see.
Show answer
Ice in your veins.
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1112. Say what you see.
Show answer
Cafe (Ca + Fe).
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1113. Say what you see.
Show answer
Down in the dumps.
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1114. Say what you see.
Show answer
Second fiddle.
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1115. Say what you see.
Show answer
A fly in the ointment.
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1116. Say what you see.
Show answer
A monkey on your back.
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1117. Say what you see.
Show answer
Cup (C + up).
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1118. Say what you see.
Show answer
Downsize.
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1119. Say what you see.
Show answer
A growing concern.
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1120. Say what you see.
Show answer
Female (Fe + male).
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1121. Say what you see.
Show answer
The writing on the wall.
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1122. Say what you see.
Show answer
Turn a blind eye.
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1123. Say what you see.
Show answer
A skeleton in the closet.
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1124. Say what you see.
Show answer
Open (O + pen).
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1125. Say what you see.
Show answer
Up the ante.
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1126. Say what you see.
Show answer
Caught red-handed.
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1127. Say what you see.
Show answer
Cry over spilled milk.
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1128. Say what you see.
Show answer
Diminishing returns.
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1129. Say what you see.
Show answer
Long story short.
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Show answer
lion A 'big cat' is not the biggest cat on screen. It is the family name for lions, tigers and leopards.
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Show answer
tree A dog's bark is a sound. A tree's bark is its skin. Only the tree has the bark you can touch.
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Show answer
corn The rabbit has the biggest ears, but an 'ear' is also a cob of corn. That is the ear the words point to.
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Show answer
night Owls are nocturnal, so light will not wake one - darkness will. Remove the sun and night falls.
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Show answer
eclipse A sun covered by the moon is an eclipse. Tapping the sun does nothing; the loose moon is the tool.
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Show answer
date A date is a sweet fruit, not a calendar day. That is the date the words point to.
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Show answer
rain There is no watering can, but a raincloud waters a flower just fine.
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Show answer
blossom pagoda A small 36-tile arch board - the gentle first step. Clear every tile to raise the Blossom Pagoda.
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vermilion torii gate A 42-tile footbridge board. Match the tiles away to open the Vermilion Torii Gate.
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stone lantern A 50-tile heart board. Clear the board to light the Stone Lantern.
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cherry blossom tree A 50-tile flower board with a raised centre. Sweep the tiles away to bloom the Cherry-Blossom Tree.
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koi pond A 72-tile spider board - the shapes get bigger now. Clear the board to fill the Koi Pond.
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tea house An 80-tile fish board. Match every pair to open the Tea House.
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moon bridge A 90-tile butterfly board with two mirrored wings. Clear the board to arch the Moon Bridge.
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bamboo grove A 120-tile dragon board - long and layered. Sweep the tiles away to grow the Bamboo Grove.
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Show answer
zen rock garden A 140-tile fortress board, four layers deep. Clear the whole board to rake the Zen Rock Garden.
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golden lucky cat The full classic 144-tile Turtle board - the final Mahjong Garden node. Clear it all to summon the Golden Lucky Cat.
Your score
FAQ about Rebus Puzzles
How do rebus puzzles work?
Each puzzle shows words or letters arranged in a meaningful way. Position, size, repetition, and missing pieces all carry meaning. MAN sitting above BOARD reads as man overboard.
Are there pictures in these rebus puzzles?
Classic rebuses mix drawings and words, and ours lean on the word side: styled text, letter arrangements and simple word art rather than photos. The solving skill is the same either way, because you read what you see, not what is spelled.
Do the rebus puzzles include answers and hints?
Yes on both counts. Every card carries a hint and reveals its answer with a short decoding note naming the trick that produced the phrase, like stacking, reversal or a sound-alike number. Reading those notes is the fastest way to learn the patterns.
Fancy a different kind of puzzle? Play our free Mahjong Solitaire or hunt for hidden words in our word search puzzles, both playable right here with no download.