Crossword Genius

Duck a risk here: fish unlikely to stay frozen long? (5,2,4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

skate on thin ice

'duck a risk here' is the definition.
(to skate on thin ice is to take a risk)

'fish unlikely to stay frozen long?' is the wordplay.
'fish' becomes 'skate' (skate is a kind of fish).
'unlikely to stay frozen long?' becomes 'onthinice' (thin ice will melt quickly).
'skate'+'onthinice'='SKATE ON THIN ICE'

(Other definitions for skate on thin ice that I've seen before include "feeble attempt to keep fish fresh?" , "ducking the likely outcome?" , "fish displayed thus might not stay fresh for long" , "Take risks" , "Court trouble" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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