Crossword Genius

Increase, breaking the hinge (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heighten

'increase' is the definition.
(I know that heighten is a type of increase)

'breaking the hinge' is the wordplay.
'breaking' indicates anagramming the letters.
'the'+'hinge'='thehinge'
'thehinge' anagrammed gives 'HEIGHTEN'.

(Other definitions for heighten that I've seen before include "effect some improvement" , "Elevate - intensify" , "Increase in amount of degree" , "Intensify; make taller" , "Make more intense - elevate?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.