Crossword Genius

Fewer manoeuvres when a yankee's on it? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

freeway

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

'it?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'fewer manoeuvres when a yankee's' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
an anagram of 'fewer' is 'freew' which is present in the answer.
'a' is within the answer.
'yankee' could be 'y' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.) and 'y' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'on' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for freeway that I've seen before include "road in US" , "Road without tolls" , "Motorway on which stopping or parking is forbidden" , "No tolls on this major road!" , "American road" .)

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