Crossword Genius

I'll tear off, to be exact (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

literal

'be exact' is the definition.
('literal' can be similar in meaning to 'exact')

'i'll tear off' is the wordplay.
'off' is an anagram indicator.
'ill'+'tear'='illtear'
'illtear' with letters rearranged gives 'LITERAL'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for literal that I've seen before include "Unimaginative" , "A tiller (anag.)" , "Following the exact meaning" , "Taking words in their most basic sense" , "Verbatim - true" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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