Crossword Genius

Be wary of female attention (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fear

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

'be wary of' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'female attention' is the wordplay.
'female' becomes 'f' (common abbreviation).
'attention' becomes 'ear' (having someone's ear is having their attention).
'f'+'ear'='FEAR'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fear that I've seen before include "Dread, great anxiety" , "Dread, alarm" , "Terror" , "Qualms" , "Alarm, reverence" .)

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