Crossword Genius

Exclamation by a lieutenant coming to a halt? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aha

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

'exclamation' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Exclamation of discovery ' mean 'aha' so perhaps 'exclamation' could also mean 'aha')

'a lieutenant coming to a halt?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
'to a' could be 'a' and 'a' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'h' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'by' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aha that I've seen before include "it expresses surprise" , "Cry of surprise" , "Triumphant cry" , "Palindromic exclamation of triumph or surprise" , "Surprised expression" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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