Crossword Genius

Desire in passing plate, cakes, shredded wheat (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

death wish

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

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

'passing plate cakes shredded wheat' is the wordplay.
'passing plate' becomes 'dish' (type of plate. I am not sure about the 'passing' bit.).
'cakes' is an insertion indicator (cake can mean to cover).
'shredded' indicates anagramming the letters.
'wheat' anagrammed gives 'eathw'.
'dish' going around 'eathw' is 'DEATH WISH'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for death wish that I've seen before include "Desire to pass on" , "Reason for very reckless acts?" , "Desire for self-annihilation" , "destructive feeling" , "Unconscious desire to end it all" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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