“Beware the ___ of March” NYT crossword clue

The clue “Beware the ___ of March” is a classic reference to a famous warning from William Shakespeare’s play *Julius Caesar*. In the play, a soothsayer tells Caesar to “Beware the Ides of March,” referring to March 15th, the day on which Caesar was ultimately assassinated. The term “Ides” was used in the Roman calendar to signify the middle of the month, and in March, it specifically refers to the 15th. This clue is commonly seen in crosswords due to its literary and historical relevance.

The answer to the clue is **IDES**. This four-letter word fits both the structure of the crossword and the thematic content of the clue. Recognizing this kind of reference is helpful when solving puzzles that pull from classic literature or historical phrases, especially those with cultural significance like this one from Shakespeare.