Crossword Genius

Five help to get piano in flat (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vapid

'flat' is the definition.
('vapid' can be a synonym of 'flat')

'five help to get piano' is the wordplay.
'five' becomes 'v' (roman numeral).
'help' becomes 'aid' ('aid' can be a synonym of 'help'**).
'to get' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'piano' becomes 'p'.
'aid' enclosing 'p' is 'apid'.
'v'+'apid'='VAPID'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for vapid that I've seen before include "Dull and boring" , "no interest" , "Dull - uninteresting" , "Lacking flavour" , "Boring or lifeless" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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