Crossword Genius

I have contracts after hours in busy workplace (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hive

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

'busy workplace' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'i have contracts after hours' is the wordplay.
'i have contracts' becomes 'ive' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'hours' becomes 'h'.
'ive' put after 'h' is 'HIVE'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hive that I've seen before include "Honey factory?" , "A box for bees" , "Colony of bees" , "Bees' nest" , "Home for bees" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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