Crossword Genius

Cross over, Newton; trouble may be dead as they say (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

doornail

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'be dead as they say' is the definition.
The definition suggests an adverb but the answer is not.

'cross over newton trouble' is the wordplay.
'cross' becomes 'door' (a door is a kind of cross).
'over' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'newton' becomes 'n' (synonyms).
'trouble' becomes 'ail' (synonyms).
'door'+'n'+'ail'='DOORNAIL'

'may' acts as a link.

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(Other definitions for doornail that I've seen before include "Dead as a ........ is dead without a doubt" , "popularly believed dead" , "Stud" , "proverbially dead" , "Dead as a ...-very dead indeed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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