Crossword Genius

Two refusals before thinking it’s not working (14)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nonoperational

'not working' is the definition.

'two refusals before thinking' is the wordplay.
'two refusals' means two replacements for 'refusal'.
'refusal' becomes 'no'.
'refusal' becomes 'nope'.
'before' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'thinking' becomes 'rational' ('rational' can be a synonym of 'thinking'**).
'no'+'nope'+'rational'='NONOPERATIONAL'

'it's' is the link.

(Another definition for nonoperational that I've seen is " Not working or in use".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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