Crossword Genius

Religious education fib? I've no current excuse (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

relieve

'excuse' is the definition.
(I know that excuse can be written as relieve)

'religious education fib? i've no current' is the wordplay.
'religious education' becomes 'RE' (abbreviation).
'fib?' becomes 'lie' (a fib is a lie).
'no' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'current' becomes 'I' (symbol for electric current).
'ive' with 'i' taken away is 've'.
're'+'lie'+'ve'='RELIEVE'

(Other definitions for relieve that I've seen before include "Free someone from duty by taking his place" , "Alleviate 9pain)" , "Ease pain or burden" , "Make less tedious, bring aid to (besieged place)" , "Take over work from someone" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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