Crossword Genius

How Charlie has to go short (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chas

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

'how charlie' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'has to go short' is the wordplay.
'to' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'go short' becomes 'c' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'has' after 'c' is 'CHAS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for chas that I've seen before include "Drinks" , "man's name" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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