Crossword Genius

A kiss in middle of night causes cancelling (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

axing

'cancelling' is the definition.

'a kiss in middle of night' is the wordplay.
'kiss' becomes 'x' (X can represent a kiss).
'middle of night' becomes 'G' (middle letter of 'night').
'a'+'x'+'in'+'g'='AXING'

'causes' is the link.

(Other definitions for axing that I've seen before include "Dismissing (employees)" , "Cutting down" , "Chopping, wood or jobs say" , "Sacking" , "Reducing expenditure sharply" .)

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