Crossword Genius

Clumsy, spilling pint over partner at the table (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inept

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'clumsy' is the definition.
(I know that clumsy can be written as inept)

'over partner at the table' is the wordplay.
'over' says to put letters next to each other.
'partner' becomes 'e'.
'at' becomes 'in' (synonymous in some cases - eg at school, in school).
'the table' becomes 'pt' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'e' after 'in' is 'ine'.
'ine'+'pt'='INEPT'

'spilling pint' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inept that I've seen before include "Hopelessly incapable" , "Wanting" , "Incompetent or gauche" , "Showing a lack of competence" , "Blundering" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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