Is it instrumental in cutting the washing-up? (3)
I believe the answer is:
saw
'is it instrumental' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'cutting the washing-up?' is the wordplay.
'cutting' means to remove the last letter.
'the washing' becomes 'wash' (synonyms).
'up?' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'wash' with its last letter taken off is 'was'.
'was' back-to-front is 'SAW'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for saw that I've seen before include "Cutting tool or maxim" , "Was turned into a cutting tool" , "Realised" , "Toothed cutting tool" , "Old saying - cutting kind" .)