Crossword Genius

A comic 'take-off' act? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

strip

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

'a comic' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'take-off act?' is the wordplay.
'take-off' becomes 'st' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'act?' becomes 'rip' (rip is a kind of act).
'st'+'rip'='STRIP'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for strip that I've seen before include "Remove clothing" , "Undress completely" , "Ribbon" , "Lay bare" , "Undress a long narrow piece" .)

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