Crossword Genius

Project close to failure: sacking may come from it (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

jute

'sacking may come from it' is the definition.
(sacking may be made from jute fibre)

'project close to failure' is the wordplay.
'project' becomes 'jut' (project can mean to jut out).
'close to' suggests the final letters (the close/ending of).
The final letter of 'failure' is 'e'.
'jut'+'e'='JUTE'

(Other definitions for jute that I've seen before include "Bark fibre used for making sacks" , "Coarse fibre used in making sacks etc" , "involved in sacking" , "Fibre-producing plant" , "Old invader of England" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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