Crossword Genius

First rip off the army – stupid (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

primary

'first' is the definition.
('primary' is associated in meaning with 'first')

'rip off the army stupid' is the wordplay.
'off' indicates anagramming the letters.
'stupid' indicates an anagram (in a stupid order).
'rip' anagrammed gives 'pri'.
'army' anagrammed gives 'mary'.
'pri'+'mary'='PRIMARY'

(Other definitions for primary that I've seen before include "Of the first order" , "Main" , "Principal" , "Of chief importance" , "Paramount" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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