Crossword Genius

Gossip and argument against lawyer one gets crush on (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

anaconda

'one gets crush on' is the definition.
(an anaconda crushes its prey)

'gossip and argument against lawyer' is the wordplay.
'gossip' becomes 'ana' (I have seen 'literary gossip' mean 'ana' so perhaps 'gossip' could also mean 'ana').
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'argument against' becomes 'con' (I've seen this in other clues).
'lawyer' becomes 'da' (abbreviation for District Attorney).
'ana'+'con'+'da'='ANACONDA'

(Other definitions for anaconda that I've seen before include "Large South America snake" , "One can get crush on" , "large reptile" , "Boa constrictor" , "One may put squeeze on" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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