Crossword Genius

Furiously rejected female killer? Not half! (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

like mad

'furiously' is the definition.
('like mad' can mean furiously or intensely)

'rejected female killer? not half' is the wordplay.
'rejected' is a reversal indicator.
'female' becomes 'dame' (dame is a kind of female).
'not half' suggests halving the letters.
'killer' cut in half is 'kil'.
'dame'+'kil'='damekil'
'damekil' reversed gives 'LIKE MAD'.

(Other definitions for like mad that I've seen before include "Furiously" , "Very quickly" , "wildly" , "With great intensity, energy, or enthusiasm" , "Energetically" .)

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