Crossword Genius

Top dog award favoured pipe down lining (4,2,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

best in show

'top dog' is the definition.
(best in show at a dog show)

'award favoured pipe down lining' is the wordplay.
'award' becomes 'bestow' (bestowing is a kind of awarding).
'favoured' becomes 'in' (I've seen this in other clues).
'pipe down' becomes 'sh' (both can mean 'be quiet').
'lining' is an insertion indicator.
'in'+'sh'='insh'
'bestow' going around 'insh' is 'BEST IN SHOW'.

(Another definition for best in show that I've seen is " Top dog".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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