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Clobber of the moment? Fudge copy for groom (4,4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lick into shape

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'groom' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'clobber of the moment? fudge copy' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'clobber' could be 'lick' (synonyms) and 'lick' is found within the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is located in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
'moment?' could be 's' and 's' is found within the answer.
'copy' could be 'ape' (ape can mean to copy or imitate) and 'ape' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lick into shape that I've seen before include "Train into proper condition" , "fashion" , "Make presentable" , "Put into a satisfactory form" , "Act forcefully to improve (something)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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