Crossword Genius

Embraces embracing sweetheart causing complaints (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gripes

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

'complaints' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'embraces embracing sweetheart' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'sweetheart' could be 'e' (the heart/centre of 'sweet') and 'e' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'grips' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'causing' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gripes that I've seen before include "Grouses, beefs" , "Complaints" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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