Crossword Genius

You can tell it's just a yarn (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tale

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

'a yarn' is the definition.
('tale' can be a synonym of 'yarn')

'you can tell it's just' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ale' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tale that I've seen before include "Report" , "See 12" , "Late with a story" , "Old wives' recital?" , "Narrative - fabrication" .)

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