Crossword Genius

I close home - that's serious (2,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

in earnest

'serious' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'i close home' is the wordplay.
'close' becomes 'near' (similar in meaning).
'home' becomes 'nest' (I've seen this before).
'i'+'near'+'nest'='IN EARNEST'

'that's' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for in earnest that I've seen before include "with sincere intentions" , "seriously" , "Not joking" , "With serious intentions" , "Sincere and serious" .)

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