A tense bonus-round moment on Wheel of Fortune left viewers stunned and even host Ryan Seacrest momentarily speechless after a costly slip-up by contestant Joey Sweet. During the November 18 episode, Sweet, a program director from Oceanside, California, found himself inches away from a $40,000 win when a tricky puzzle in the “Phrase” category tripped him up at the final hurdle.

With most of the board filled in, the puzzle read: “CA_ED’ _Y _AND.” After choosing the letters C, D, M, and A—plus an extra “F” from his Wild Card—Sweet confidently guessed, “Cleared by hand.” The response sounded logical, but as the clock expired, it became clear the solution was incorrect. The correct phrase, “Carved By Hand,” surprised both Sweet and the audience, proving just how deceptive bonus-round puzzles can be.

Vanna White visibly reacted to the miss, throwing her hands up as the answer was revealed. Seacrest quickly stepped in with reassurance, telling Sweet he was “on the right track” and acknowledging how difficult the puzzle was, especially given the misleading setup. He then revealed the gold prize card showing the $40,000 Sweet narrowly missed, adding, “Tough one—even with the head start.”

Despite the disappointment, Sweet handled the moment with grace, smiling and responding, “It’s okay!” He still walked away with more than $16,000 in cash and a trip to Mexico. The clip soon went viral, with fans online agreeing the puzzle was unusually hard. Many noted that short words like “by” often derail contestants, reinforcing why Wheel of Fortune continues to deliver unforgettable, high-pressure moments.