Crossword Genius

Cut loose, notice crack (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

adrift

'cut loose' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'notice crack' is the wordplay.
'notice' becomes 'ad' (both can mean an advertisement).
'crack' becomes 'rift' (rift is a kind of crack).
'ad'+'rift'='ADRIFT'

(Other definitions for adrift that I've seen before include "'Directionless, floating freely (6)'" , "Loose from moorings" , "like Mary Celeste?" , "Floating uncontrolled" , "Unsettled or unanchored" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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