NEW YORK — The New York Times' Connections puzzle on Monday mixed scams, denim styles and serrated kitchen tools. The trickiest group hid sea creatures at the end of everyday phrases.

Connections asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Players are allowed up to four mistakes, and the color-coded groups progress from yellow, the simplest, through green and blue to purple, the most complex.

Hints come first, followed by the full answers.

The 16 words on Monday's board are STEAK KNIFE, CARD SHARK, CON JOB, BOOTCUT, NAVY SEAL, SHELL GAME, MINT LEAF, GAMMA RAY, TAPE DISPENSER, LOW-RISE, FUN SPONGE, RIP-OFF, SKINNY and FLIMFLAM, GRAPEFRUIT SPOON and........

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