Crossword Genius

Foreign Office axes cunning (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

foxy

'cunning' is the definition.
(I know that cunning can be written as foxy)

'foreign office axes' is the wordplay.
'foreign office' becomes 'FO' (abbreviation).
'axes' becomes 'xy' (x axis and y axis).
'fo'+'xy'='FOXY'

(Other definitions for foxy that I've seen before include "Vulpine; sly" , "Sly -- sexy" , "Cunning - sexually attractive" , "tricky" , "Hot" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app