Crossword Genius

Crack and Charlie given up (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cleft

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

'crack' is the definition.
(I know that crack can be written as cleft)

'charlie given up' is the wordplay.
'charlie' becomes 'C' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'given' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'up' becomes 'left' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'c'+'left'='CLEFT'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cleft that I've seen before include "Chin split" , "Space" , "Split; fissure" , "chasm" , "Crack" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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