Crossword Genius

All but fifteen caught out (2,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

in effect

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'all' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'fifteen caught out' is the wordplay.
'caught' becomes 'c' (cricket abbreviation).
'out' indicates anagramming the letters (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'fifteen'+'c'='fifteenc'
'fifteenc' anagrammed gives 'IN EFFECT'.

'but' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for in effect that I've seen before include "to all intents and purposes" , "Really, as a matter of fact" , "Really, or in essence" , "Really; operative" , "Really; operating" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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