Crossword Genius

Tool has blade: hard to smuggle into jail (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sledgehammer

'tool' is the definition.
(sledgehammer is a kind of tool)

'blade hard to smuggle into jail' is the wordplay.
'blade' becomes 'edge' (as in a sharpened edge).
'hard' becomes 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications).
'to smuggle into' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'jail' becomes 'slammer' (informal term for prison).
'edge'+'h'='edgeh'
'edgeh' inserted within 'slammer' is 'SLEDGEHAMMER'.

'has' is the link.

(Other definitions for sledgehammer that I've seen before include "Unsubtle" , "One violently smashing" , "Tool" , "Big hitter" , "Unsuitable nutcracker?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.