Crossword Genius

Play down condition subject to articles abroad (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

understate

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'play down' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'condition subject to articles abroad' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'condition' could be 'state' (the state something is in) and 'state' is present in the answer.
'subject' could be 'under' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'under' is found in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for understate that I've seen before include "Downplay" , "Minimise the significance of (something)" , "Represent as less important" , "Speak with restraint" , "Play down" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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