Crossword Genius

Go to town three times, the last two prematurely (3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

let rip

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

'go to town' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'three times the last two prematurely' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'three' could be 'tri' (prefix meaning 'three') and 'tri' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'lep' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for let rip that I've seen before include "Express oneself angrily" , "Release pent-up feelings" , "Proceed unrestrained" , "Go wild" , "Behave uninhibitedly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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