Crossword Genius

Disgracefulness has false English on railway in bother (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shamefulness

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

'disgracefulness' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'false english on railway in bother' is the wordplay.
'false' becomes 'sham' (sham means fake or pretend).
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'railway in bother' becomes 'fulness' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'sham'+'e'+'fulness'='SHAMEFULNESS'

'has' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app