Crossword Genius

Add or subtract from the total! (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tot

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

'add' is the definition.
(I know that add can be written as tot)

'subtract from the total' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'from' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is found in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found in the answer.
A single letter 't' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'or' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tot that I've seen before include "Add - youngster - dram" , "Spirit measure" , "Aggregate for infant" , "Dram; small child" , "Nip" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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