Crossword Genius

Breaking instrument? It's flipping working! (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

violation

'breaking' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'instrument? it's flipping working' is the wordplay.
'instrument?' becomes 'viola' (viola is a kind of instrument**).
'flipping' is a reversal indicator.
'working' becomes 'on'.
'it' in reverse letter order is 'ti'.
'viola'+'ti'+'on'='VIOLATION'

(Other definitions for violation that I've seen before include "Breach" , "outrage" , "Infringement" , "Offence" , "abuse" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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