Crossword Genius

Withdrawing air to help is for identification of a problem (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

diagnosis

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

'identification of a problem' is the definition.
'diagnosis' can be an answer for 'identification' (diagnosis is a kind of identification). I'm unsure of the 'of a problem' bit.

'withdrawing air to help is' is the wordplay.
'withdrawing' says the letters should be written backwards.
'air' becomes 'song' (air can mean a piece of music).
'to help' becomes 'aid' (synonyms).
'song'+'aid'='songaid'
'songaid' written backwards gives 'diagnos'.
'diagnos'+'is'='DIAGNOSIS'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for diagnosis that I've seen before include "Interpretation of" , "Identification of an illness" , "Identification of disease" , "Doctor's verdict" , "analysis" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app