Crossword Genius

Ambush a layabout in the street (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

waylay

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'ambush' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'a layabout in the street' is the wordplay.
'layabout' becomes 'yl' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'in the' indicates putting letters inside.
'street' becomes 'way' (road way).
'a'+'yl'='ayl'
'ayl' put into 'way' is 'WAYLAY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for waylay that I've seen before include "Stop or interrupt (someone)" , "Lie in wait for, maybe to rob" , "Ambush - detain in talk" , "Lie in wait for and ambush" , "Lie in wait for, to talk or rob (6)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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