Crossword Genius

Anger as sacked without protection (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ire

'anger' is the definition.
(ire is intense rage)

'sacked without protection' is the wordplay.
'sacked' becomes 'fired' (both can mean dismissed from a job).
'without protection' means to look at the middle letters (no outside letters).
The middle letters of 'fired' are 'IRE'.

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for ire that I've seen before include "Choler" , "Losing head" , "'Anger, wrath (3)'" , "Anger among admirers" , "exasperation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app