Crossword Genius

Fill shelf (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

flesh out

'fill' is the definition.

'shelf' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'shelf' is 'flesh' which is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'out' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

(Other definitions for flesh out that I've seen before include "Substantiate" , "better explain?" , "vegetarian slogan" , "Elaborate - fatten up" , "Make or become substantial - sounds vaguely carnal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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