Crossword Genius

Chlorine not to be used? That’s a blow (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

clout

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'a blow' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'chlorine not to be used?' is the wordplay.
'chlorine' becomes 'Cl' (chemical symbol).
'not to be used?' becomes 'out' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'cl'+'out'='CLOUT'

'that's' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for clout that I've seen before include "Cast not one before May is out" , "Influence; heavy blow" , "hit hard" , "Bash" , "Sock" .)

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