Crossword Genius

Grip left in odd storage space on ship (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stranglehold

'grip' is the definition.
(stranglehold is a kind of grip)

'left in odd storage space on ship' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'odd' becomes 'strange' (I've seen this before**).
'storage space on ship' becomes 'hold'.
'l' placed inside 'strange' is 'strangle'.
'strangle'+'hold'='STRANGLEHOLD'

(Other definitions for stranglehold that I've seen before include "tight grip!" , "Total restriction" , "Complete power over a situation" , "exclusive control?" , "Star long held (anag) - complete power over a person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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