Gnome eating large salad (4)

I believe the answer is:

slaw

'salad' is the definition.
(I know that slaw is a type of salad)

'gnome eating large' is the wordplay.
'gnome' becomes 'saw' (both can mean a proverb or saying).
'eating' indicates putting letters inside.
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'saw' going around 'l' is 'SLAW'.

(Another definition for slaw that I've seen is " Shredded cabbage".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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