Crossword Genius

A game to the French to be played soundly (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

whistle

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

'be played soundly' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'a game to the french' is the wordplay.
'a game' becomes 'whist' (whist is a card game).
'to the french' becomes 'le' ('the' in French).
'whist'+'le'='WHISTLE'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for whistle that I've seen before include "Make cheerful sound" , "Call vainly for" , "something needing wetting?" , "L.S.White (anag.)" , "Become an informer" .)

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