Assuming that working with heartless landlady gave rise to rueful expression (6)
I believe the answer is:
ifonly
'rise to rueful expression' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'assuming that working with heartless landlady' is the wordplay.
'assuming' becomes 'if' (eg 'assuming it's allowed' means 'if it's allowed').
'that working' becomes 'on' (on can mean working or activated).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'heartless' suggests removing the centre.
'landlady' with its centre taken out is 'ly'.
'if'+'on'+'ly'='IFONLY'
'gave' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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