Crossword Genius

Screw secures prison in terror (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

panicky

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'screw secures prison in terror' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'screw secures prison' is the wordplay.
'screw' becomes 'pay' (I've seen this before).
'secures' is an insertion indicator.
'prison' becomes 'nick' (slang).
'pay' going around 'nick' is 'PANICKY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for panicky that I've seen before include "(Irrationally) fearful" , "Suffering fear, anxiety" , "Dreadfully anxious" , "in a tizzy" , "Feeling terror" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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