Crossword Genius

Broke English taboo, returning meals (2,4,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

on ones uppers

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'broke' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'english taboo returning meals' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'taboo' becomes 'no-no' (I've seen this in another clue).
'returning' says the letters should be written backwards.
'meals' becomes 'suppers' (supper is a type of meal).
'e'+'nono'='enono'
'enono' back-to-front is 'onone'.
'onone'+'suppers'='ON ONES UPPERS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for on ones uppers that I've seen before include "Impecunious" , "Very short of money" , "when skint?" , "Where to rub 9 [CHERRY BLOSSOM]" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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