Crossword Genius

Free comprehensive initially raised cheers (2,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

at large

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'free comprehensive initially raised cheers' is the definition.
'at large' can be an answer for 'free' (thesaurus). I am unsure of the 'comprehensive initially raised cheers' bit.

'free comprehensive initially raised cheers' is the wordplay.
'free comprehensive' becomes 'large' ('large' can be similar in meaning to 'comprehensive'. I am not sure about the 'free' bit.**).
'initially' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'raised' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'cheers' becomes 'ta' (I've seen this in other clues).
'ta' in reverse letter order is 'at'.
'large' put after 'at' is 'AT-LARGE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for at large that I've seen before include "Free, maybe escaped" , "On the run" , "'On the loose, escaped (2,5)'" , "As a body" , "Glare at, being free and not confined" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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