Crossword Genius

Bite of Conservative cut (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chew

'bite' is the definition.
(I know that chew is a type of bite)

'conservative cut' is the wordplay.
'conservative' becomes 'C' (UK political abbreviation).
'cut' becomes 'hew' (hew can mean to chop or cut).
'c'+'hew'='CHEW'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for chew that I've seen before include "Treat for dog" , "Process food" , "Bite and grind food in the mouth" , "Bite repeatedly" , "Ruminate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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