Crossword Genius

Corrode a metal in periodically scratched section (3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eat into

'corrode' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a metal in periodically scratched section' is the wordplay.
'metal' becomes 'tin' (tin is a kind of metal).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'periodically scratched' indicates alternate letters (letters scratched out periodically).
The alternating letters of 'section' are 'eto'.
'a'+'tin'='atin'
'atin' placed inside 'eto' is 'EAT INTO'.

(Other definitions for eat into that I've seen before include "start wearing out" , "run down" , "Corrode (something)" , "Consume (resources)" , "Etch" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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