Crossword Genius

Despicable type stops working and leaves containers (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caddies

'leaves containers' is the definition.
(as in tea leaves in tea caddies)

'despicable type stops working' is the wordplay.
'despicable type' becomes 'cad' (a cad is a dishonourable person).
'stops working' becomes 'dies' (I've seen this in another clue).
'cad'+'dies'='CADDIES'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for caddies that I've seen before include "Golf attendants" , "They carry golf clubs" , "man seen carrying clubs" , "Golf clubs carriers" , "Tea cans" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app