Holy place thumbs-down for old toys (7)
I believe the answer is:
meccano
'holy' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'place thumbs-down for old toys' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'place' could be 'mecca' (I have seen 'Place of pilgrimage' mean 'mecca' so perhaps 'place' could also mean 'mecca') and 'mecca' is found within the answer.
'old' could be 'o' (abbreviation) and 'o' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'n' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for meccano that I've seen before include "Metal model construction set" , "Set of metal components for making toy models" , "It's for kids' building" , "Children's nuts and bolts kit" , "constructive materials" .)