Crossword Genius

Finish with the ones over there improving (2,3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

on the mend

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'improving' is the definition.
(on the mend means improving after an illness)

'finish with the ones over there' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'finish' could be 'end' (synonyms) and 'end' is present in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
'over' could be 'on' (physically on top of) and 'on' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'hem' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for on the mend that I've seen before include "Regaining health" , "Making recovery" , "Improving in health" , "Becoming better in health" , "convalescing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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