Crossword Genius

Failed attempt to produce most counterfeit watercolours, for example (5,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

false start

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

'failed attempt to produce most' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'counterfeit watercolours for example' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'counterfeit' could be 'false' (associated in meaning) and 'false' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'start' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for false start that I've seen before include "In which runner is seen to have jumped the gun" , "In which someone jumps the gun" , "may lead to total recall" , "Unsuccessful beginning" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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