Crossword Genius

… hide the real corruption (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

leather

'hide' is the definition.
(an animal hide)

'the real corruption' is the wordplay.
'corruption' indicates anagramming the letters.
'the'+'real'='thereal'
'thereal' is an anagram of 'LEATHER'.

(Other definitions for leather that I've seen before include "Treated hide" , "Polishing cloth" , "Tanned animal skin" , "Fabric" , "Cured animal hide" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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