...and it could be ruined by cruel mix-up (5)

I believe the answer is:

lucre

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

'and it could be ruined' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'cruel mix-up' is the wordplay.
'mix-up' is an anagram indicator.
'cruel' anagrammed gives 'LUCRE'.

'by' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lucre that I've seen before include "tin" , "There's money" , "Cash" , "Money (especially when gained dishonourably)" , "Ill-gotten riches" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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