Crossword Genius

Egg container up-ended (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nit

'egg' is the definition.
(a nit is an insect egg)

'container up-ended' is the wordplay.
'container' becomes 'tin' (tin is a kind of container).
'up-ended' says the letters should be written in reverse (in a down clue, letters go up).
'tin' written backwards gives 'NIT'.

(Other definitions for nit that I've seen before include "Hair louse" , "Stupid person; egg" , "Idiot, ass" , "Young louse" , "Foolish person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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