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Hard man with word for short holiday (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

half term

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

'short holiday' is the definition.
'half term' can be an answer for 'holiday' (I've seen this before). I'm unsure of the 'short' bit.

'hard man with word' is the wordplay.
'hard' becomes 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications).
'man with' becomes 'alf' (short for Alfred. I am not sure about the 'with' bit.).
'word' becomes 'term' (term is a kind of word).
'h'+'alf'+'term'='HALF-TERM'

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for half term that I've seen before include "twenty-weeks pregnant?" , "Short holiday during school semester" , "Short school vacation" , "Break during division of school year" , "Short school break" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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