Crossword Genius

Alone around home, ending in black and hard depression (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sinkhole

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

'hard depression' is the definition.
'sinkhole' can be an answer for 'depression' (sinkhole is a kind of depression). I am not sure about the 'hard' bit.

'alone around home ending in black' is the wordplay.
'alone' becomes 'sole' (synonyms).
'around' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'home' becomes 'H' (abbreviation as used in sports fixtures).
'ending' says to put letters next to each other.
'in black' becomes 'ink' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'h' put after 'ink' is 'inkh'.
'sole' going around 'inkh' is 'SINKHOLE'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sinkhole that I've seen before include "Deep cavity in limestone" , "Eroded underground cavity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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