Crossword Genius

Company conflict over gamble shows lack of courage (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cowardice

'lack of courage' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'company conflict over gamble' is the wordplay.
'company' becomes 'co' (abbreviation).
'conflict' becomes 'war' (war is a kind of conflict).
'over' says to put letters next to each other.
'gamble' becomes 'dice' (dicing is a kind of gambling).
'co'+'war'+'dice'='COWARDICE'

'shows' is the link.

(Other definitions for cowardice that I've seen before include "Lack of bravery" , "Spineless character" , "Craven fear in face of enemy" , "Spinelessness" , "not bravery, either" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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