Crossword Genius

Ineffective female missing state of dangerous plug? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

useless

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

'ineffective' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)

'female missing state of dangerous plug?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'state' could be 'us' (U.S. is an example) and 'us' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for useless that I've seen before include "Futile and unavailing" , "Unserviceable" , "Vain, impractical" , "Fruitless" , "Having no beneficial function" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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