Crossword Genius

Country quarantining small spaniels? (3-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

yes-men

'spaniels?' is the definition.
(spaniel can informally mean a compliant person)

'country quarantining small' is the wordplay.
'country' becomes 'yemen' (Yemen is an example).
'quarantining' indicates putting letters inside (quarantine can mean to contain).
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'yemen' enclosing 's' is 'YES-MEN'.

(Other definitions for yes-men that I've seen before include "Sycophants" , "lackeys" , "Toadies" .)

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