Crossword Genius

Take the first left turn at the zoo (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lion

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

'take' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'first left turn at the zoo' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'first' could be 'i' (Roman numeral for one or first) and 'i' is found within the answer.
'left' could be 'l' (common abbreviation) and 'l' is located in the answer.
'at' could be 'on' (location) and 'on' is found in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lion that I've seen before include "King of the forest" , "Buddhist scripture; Sanskrit rule" , "Important figure" , "Cowardly visitor in Oz" , "Simba, for example" .)

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