Crossword Genius

Exploit dictator's measures (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

feat

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

'exploit' is the definition.
(I know that exploit can be written as feat)

'dictator's measures' is the wordplay.
'dictator' becomes 'f' (I have seen 'German dictator ' mean 'f' so perhaps 'dictator' could also mean 'f').
'measures' becomes 'eat' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'f'+'eat'='FEAT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for feat that I've seen before include "Significant achievement" , "Exploit; achievement" , "Great deed" , "Notable act" , "An accomplishment of fate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app