Crossword Genius

Animal that’s wild and short turning up in Cheddar? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

truckle

'cheddar?' is the definition.
(cheddar is an example)

'animal that's wild and short turning up' is the wordplay.
'animal that's wild' becomes 'elk'.
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'short' becomes 'curt' ('curt' can be a synonym of 'short').
'turning up' says the letters should be written backwards.
'elk'+'curt'='elkcurt'
'elkcurt' written backwards gives 'TRUCKLE'.

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for truckle that I've seen before include "Low bed kept under a higher one" , "Wheeled bed; submit feebly (to)" , "Kowtow" , "cheese" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app