Crossword Genius

Darling, promise of marriage's a little late (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

idol

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

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

'promise of marriage's a little late' is the wordplay.
'promise of marriage's' becomes 'ido' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a little' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'late' is 'l'.
'ido'+'l'='IDOL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for idol that I've seen before include "Graven image or worshipped person" , "Admired figure" , "False god" , "A matinee -- is a handsome actor" , "loved one" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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