“___ not and say we did!” NYT crossword clue

The answer to the clue “___ not and say we did!” is **let’s**. The full phrase, “Let’s not and say we did,” is a humorous or sarcastic way to decline a suggestion or activity. It implies that the speaker wants to avoid doing something but still pretend as if it was done—often used in a playful or dismissive tone.

This phrase is an example of informal, idiomatic English that shows up in casual conversation. In crossword puzzles, clues like this test your familiarity with common sayings and expressions rather than straightforward vocabulary. The key is recognizing the setup of the phrase and filling in the natural-sounding word that completes it.