Crossword Genius

Crack a salt nut for a frustrated king (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tantalus

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

'frustrated king' is the definition.
'tantalus' can be an answer for 'king' (I have seen 'ancient king' mean 'tantalus' so perhaps 'king' could also mean 'tantalus'). I am not certain of the 'frustrated' bit.

'crack a salt nut' is the wordplay.
'crack' is an anagram indicator.
'a'+'salt'+'nut'='asaltnut'
'asaltnut' anagrammed gives 'TANTALUS'.

'for a' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tantalus that I've seen before include "Lydian king" , "Lockable case for decanters" , "Frustrated Greek" , "Son of Zeus and case for decanters" , "Secure liquor decanter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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