Crossword Genius

Criticises having left maps (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

plans

'maps' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'criticises having left' is the wordplay.
'criticises' becomes 'pans' (pan can mean to criticise severely).
'having' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'pans' placed around 'l' is 'PLANS'.

(Other definitions for plans that I've seen before include "Aims" , "maps" , "Detailed proposals for doing something" , "Designs" , "Schemes; diagrams" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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