Caustic - like metal? (6)
I believe the answer is:
ironic
'caustic' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'metal?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'metal?' could be 'ni' (Ni is an example) and 'ni' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'iroc' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'like' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ironic that I've seen before include "Wryly funny" , "Characterised by mildly sardonic wit" , "Sarcastically humorous" , "'Wry, incongruous (6)'" , "Sarcastic, expressing meaning by invoking opposite" .)