Crossword Genius

Beast getting a bit tough in the car? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cougar

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

'beast' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'a bit tough in the car?' is the wordplay.
'a bit' becomes 'o' (resembles 0, a binary digit or bit).
'tough' becomes 'ug' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'in the' indicates putting letters inside.
'o'+'ug'='oug'
'oug' going into 'car' is 'COUGAR'.

'getting' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cougar that I've seen before include "American wildcat, puma" , "Large American feline" , "Another name for puma" , "Big cat" , "North American mountain lion" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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