Crossword Genius

Cut short, left work (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lop

'cut short' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'left work' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'work' becomes 'op' (abbreviation for opus).
'l'+'op'='LOP'

(Other definitions for lop that I've seen before include "Cut away branches or twigs" , "Cut (e.g. branch off)" , "Hack" , "Prune, cut the top off" , "Remove branches from a tree" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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