Crossword Genius

Held on to key organ (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

clung

'held on' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'key organ' is the wordplay.
'key' becomes 'c' (musical key).
'organ' becomes 'lung' (lung is a kind of organ).
'c'+'lung'='CLUNG'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for clung that I've seen before include "Held on tight" , "Held on tightly" , "Held on desperately" , "Was emotionally close" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app