Crossword Genius

Clever Idle play Guardian previously critically acclaimed (4-8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

well-received

'critically acclaimed' is the definition.
(received well by critics)

'clever idle play guardian previously' is the wordplay.
'play' is an anagram indicator.
'guardian' becomes 'we' (the newspaper which employs the crossword setter).
'previously' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'clever'+'idle'='cleveridle'
'cleveridle' is an anagram of 'llreceived'.
'llreceived' after 'we' is 'WELL-RECEIVED'.

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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