Crossword Genius

Allow no openings for substitutes (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stopgaps

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'for substitutes' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Temporary substitutes ' mean 'stopgaps' so perhaps 'substitutes' could also mean 'stopgaps')

'allow no openings' is the wordplay.
'allow no' becomes 'stop' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'openings' becomes 'gaps' ('gap' can be a synonym of 'opening').
'stop'+'gaps'='STOPGAPS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stopgaps that I've seen before include "Temporary measures" , "Temporary substitutes to plug openings?" , "Temporary substitutes, like fingers in dykes" , "Temporary substitutes or fixes" , "Temporary substitutes or expedients" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent and The Globe and Mail.
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