Crossword Genius

Hat a clan wore in cut-through (6,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

panama canal

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

'cut-through' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'hat a clan wore' is the wordplay.
'hat' becomes 'panama' (panama is a kind of hat).
'wore' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'wearing' mean this (wear can mean to become damaged)).
'a'+'clan'='aclan'
'aclan' anagrammed gives 'canal'.
'panama'+'canal'='PANAMA CANAL'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for panama canal that I've seen before include "Atlantic/Pacific waterway" , "Busy waterway" , "Pacific-Caribbean link" , "Waterway link" , "Central American waterway" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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