Crossword Genius

How strange that he's always short of a win! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

victor

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

'how strange that he's always' is the definition.
The answer is a person as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the definition.

'short of a win' is the wordplay.
'short of' means to remove the last letter (I've seen 'shorter' mean this).
'a win' becomes 'victory' (a win is a victory).
'victory' with its final letter taken away is 'VICTOR'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for victor that I've seen before include "One coming out on top" , "The . . . . . . comic with Alf Tupper" , "The one who wins the battle" , "winning player" , "Conqueror" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app