Crossword Genius

General caught with howitzer at first, being out for blood (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leech

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

'out for blood' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'general caught with howitzer at first' is the wordplay.
'general' becomes 'Lee' (Robert E. Lee - US revolutionary commander).
'caught' becomes 'c' (cricket abbreviation).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'at first' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'howitzer' is 'h'.
'lee'+'c'+'h'='LEECH'

'being' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for leech that I've seen before include "Blood-sucking worm or parasitical person" , "Archaic word for physician" , "Old medicinal sucker" , "sponge" , "one good at sponging" .)

Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.