Crossword Genius

Fellow accepts sweetheart with hesitation? It's not so dear (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cheaper

'not so dear' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'fellow accepts sweetheart with hesitation?' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'chap' (both can mean a man).
'accepts' indicates putting letters inside.
'sweetheart' becomes 'e' (the heart/centre of 'sweet').
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'hesitation?' becomes 'er' (sound used when hesitating).
'chap' enclosing 'e' is 'cheap'.
'cheap'+'er'='CHEAPER'

'it's' is the link.

(Other definitions for cheaper that I've seen before include "less in cost" , "Less extravagant" , "Less costly" , "causing less damage" , "Comparatively despicable" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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