Crossword Genius

Go through and knock the top off pudding (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rifle

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

'go through' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'top off pudding' is the wordplay.
'top off' means to remove the first letter.
'pudding' becomes 'trifle' (type of pudding).
'trifle' with its initial letter taken off is 'RIFLE'.

'and knock the' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rifle that I've seen before include "An arm" , "Gun - ransack" , "Gun; sack" , "Search with intent to steal" , "Gun - steal" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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