Bit of wood left at back of farm in risky operation (9)
I believe the answer is:
branchlet
'bit of wood' is the definition.
(a bit of a branch)
'left at back of farm in risky operation' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'at back of' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'farm' becomes 'ranch' (ranch is a kind of farm).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'risky operation' becomes 'bet' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'l' put after 'ranch' is 'ranchl'.
'ranchl' placed within 'bet' is 'BRANCHLET'.
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Times.
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