Call on criminal to protect funds in this way? (4-5)
I believe the answer is:
ring-fence
'protect funds in this way?' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether this works.
'call on criminal' is the wordplay.
'call' becomes 'ring' (telephone call).
'on' says to put letters next to each other (in a down clue, letters appear on others).
'criminal' becomes 'fence' (someone who handles stolen goods).
'ring'+'fence'='RING-FENCE'
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ring-fence that I've seen before include "Enclose with a barrier" , "Complete barrier" , "Encircling barrier" , "Guarantee funding" , "Protect or guarantee - with circular hedge?" .)