Crossword Genius

Artists can be in dire ones (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

straits

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'dire ones' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'artists can be' is the wordplay.
'can be' indicates anagramming the letters.
'artists' is an anagram of 'STRAITS'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for straits that I've seen before include "... of Magellan, Hormuz" , "Dire --, rock band" , "Sea passages" , "Difficulties" , "Narrow channels of the sea joining two larger bodies of water" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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