Crossword Genius

Guard is fed up to death (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

defend

'guard' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'fed up to death' is the wordplay.
'up' says the letters should be written in reverse (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'to death' becomes 'end' (synonyms).
'fed' in reverse letter order is 'def'.
'def'+'end'='DEFEND'

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for defend that I've seen before include "Champion" , "Protect - guard" , "Resist an attack" , "Protect, fight back" , "Protect from harm" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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