Crossword Genius

Cold and bleak for crop (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

craw

'crop' is the definition.
('craw' can be a synonym of 'crop')

'cold and bleak' is the wordplay.
'cold' becomes 'c' (eg on taps).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'bleak' becomes 'raw' ('raw' can be a synonym of 'bleak').
'c'+'raw'='CRAW'

'for' is the link.

(Other definitions for craw that I've seen before include "Crop the unacceptable sticks in" , "Gizzard" , "throat" , "Bird's pouch for storing food" , "Stomach of an animal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app