Crossword Genius

Is he out to terminate the supply? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

peter

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

'is he' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'to terminate the supply?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'peer' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'out' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for peter that I've seen before include "Saint at the Pearly Gates?" , "emperor" , "Leading apostle" , "Early Pope" , "Disciple" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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