Crossword Genius

Image of Bill deep in conversation (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tableau

'image' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'bill deep in conversation' is the wordplay.
'bill' becomes 'tab' (a tab is a bill at a bar).
'deep' becomes 'low' (similar in meaning).
'in conversation' shows a homophone (sound like).
'low' is a homophone of 'leau'.
'tab'+'leau'='TABLEAU'

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for tableau that I've seen before include "Scene of still figures" , "Scene, representation" , "dramatic picture" , "Painting - spectacle" , "Group of models representing a scene" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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