Crossword Genius

Cut down on church work (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chop

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'cut down' is the definition.
'chop' can be an answer for 'down' (thesaurus). I am not sure about the 'cut' bit.

'on church work' is the wordplay.
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation).
'work' becomes 'op' (common abbreviation for 'opus').
'ch'+'op' is 'CHOP'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for chop that I've seen before include "Reduce drastically" , "Thick slice of meat including rib" , "Cut - a piece of meat" , "Dissect" , "Use a cleaver" .)

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