Crossword Genius

Free to fail, securing nothing (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loose

'free' is the definition.
(I know that free can be written as loose)

'fail securing nothing' is the wordplay.
'fail' becomes 'lose' (I've seen this in other clues).
'securing' indicates putting letters inside.
'nothing' becomes 'O' (looks like zero - 0).
'lose' enclosing 'o' is 'LOOSE'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for loose that I've seen before include "Not restrained or attached" , "Lax - inaccurate - unbound" , "Hanging" , "Not firmly fixed" , "Lax or at large" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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