Crossword Genius

Female leaves fusspot prepared for start of game?

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tossup

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'start of game?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'female leaves fusspot prepared' is the wordplay.
'female' becomes 'f' (abbreviation).
'leaves' is a deletion indicator.
'prepared' indicates an anagram.
'fusspot' with 'f' taken away is 'usspot'.
'usspot' with letters rearranged gives 'TOSSUP'.

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tossup that I've seen before include "Spin a coin - prepare food quickly" , "Even chance, like flipping a coin" , "Flip in the air - it's a gamble" , "Even chance or risk" , "Situation with equally likely possible outcomes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Mail.
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