Crossword Genius

Badly cooked cassoulet one that can’t be saved? (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lost cause

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'one that can't be saved?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'badly cooked cassoulet' is the wordplay.
'cassoulet' can be anagrammed to 'LOST CAUSE'.
However, I'm not sure how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lost cause that I've seen before include "Hopeless quest" , "Hopeless effort or undertaking, beyond rescue" , "you won't influence him" , "write-off" , "Locates us in failed or doomed endeavour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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