Crossword Genius

Doctor limits when to breathe abruptly (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gasp

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

'breathe abruptly' is the definition.
'gasp' can be an answer for 'breathe' (gasping is a kind of breathing). I am not certain of the 'abruptly' bit.

'doctor limits when' is the wordplay.
'doctor' becomes 'gp' (general practitioner).
'limits' indicates putting letters inside (limit can mean to contain or block off).
'when' becomes 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked').
'gp' going around 'as' is 'GASP'.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gasp that I've seen before include "Short laboured intake of breath" , "Struggle for breath with open mouth" , "Sudden intake of breath" , "Inhale sharply with astonishment" , "Noisily breathe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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