Crossword Genius

Intend miserly staff to maintain English average (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mean

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

'intend' is the definition.
(I know that intend can be written as mean)

'miserly staff to maintain english average' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'english' could be 'e' (abbreviation) and 'e' is present in the answer.
'staff' could be 'man' (as in staffing or manning a particular place) and 'man' is found in the leftover letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mean that I've seen before include "Have in mind to be miserly?" , "Intend - miserly" , "Intend - average - poor" , "Base; tight" , "Skilful" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app