Crossword Genius

Beyond redemption? What rotten luck! (3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

too bad

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

'beyond redemption?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'rotten luck' is the wordplay.
'rotten' becomes 'too' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'luck' becomes 'bad luck' (bad luck is a kind of luck).
'too'+'bad'='TOO BAD'

'what' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for too bad that I've seen before include "Informally regrettable - excessively wicked" , "That's regrettable, informally" , "regrettably" , "I have no sympathy" , "What a pity, hard luck" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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