Crossword Genius

Cleaners don't have gents to check (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deter

'check' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'cleaners don't have gents' is the wordplay.
'cleaners' becomes 'detergents' (detergent is a kind of cleaner).
'don't have' suggests deleting specific letters.
'detergents' with 'gents' taken out is 'DETER'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for deter that I've seen before include "Inhibit" , "Warn off" , "Dishearten" , "Discourage or prevent from doing something" , "Frighten off; prevent" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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