Crossword Genius

Continue to protect a bird (4,2,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

keep at it

'continue' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'protect a bird' is the wordplay.
'protect' becomes 'keep' (keeping is a kind of protecting).
'bird' becomes 'tit' (tit is a kind of bird).
'keep'+'a'+'tit'='KEEP AT IT'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for keep at it that I've seen before include "Persevere" , "Continue" , "carry on" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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