Crossword Genius

Clever clogs strikes up relationship (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

smartie

'clever clogs' is the definition.
(both can mean a clever person)

'strikes up relationship' is the wordplay.
'strikes' becomes 'rams' (ram can mean to strike or hit).
'up' is a reversal indicator (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'relationship' becomes 'tie' (tie is a kind of relationship).
'rams' backwards is 'smar'.
'smar'+'tie'='SMARTIE'

(Other definitions for smartie that I've seen before include "Clever clogs" , "Clever dick" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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