Crossword Genius

Held by inappropriate ethics; they are in the mouth (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

teeth

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

'are in the mouth' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'held by inappropriate ethics they' is the wordplay.
'held by' indicates a hidden word.
'TEETH' can be found hidden inside 'inappropriate ethics they'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for teeth that I've seen before include "Those of wisdom" , "Canines, molars, etc" , "enforcement mechanisms" , "Being in your face" , "rarely a hen's" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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