Crossword Genius

Gave instruction in speech for tense (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

taut

'tense' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'gave instruction in speech' is the wordplay.
'gave instruction' becomes 'taught' (I've seen this before).
'in speech' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'taught' sounds like 'TAUT'.

'for' is the link.

(Other definitions for taut that I've seen before include "seaworthy" , "Stretched, pulled tight" , "Pulled or drawn tight" , "Fully stretched" , "Tense, stretched tight" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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