Crossword Genius

Force to open pub after host closes early (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crowbar

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'force to open' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'pub after host closes early' is the wordplay.
'pub' becomes 'bar' (both are drinking establishments).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'host closes early' becomes 'crow' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'bar' put after 'crow' is 'CROWBAR'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for crowbar that I've seen before include "Jemmy" , "Tool for breaking and entering" , "that can exert powerful leverage" , "Levering tool" , "Heavy iron lever" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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