It's great to be free - at first (5)

I believe the answer is:

large

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This clue could be a double definition.

'it's great' is the first definition.
(synonyms)

'free at first' is the second definition.
'large' can be an answer for 'free' (thesaurus). I'm not sure about the 'at first' bit.

'to be' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for large that I've seen before include "Titanic" , "At which criminals possibly are free" , "Regal (anag)" , "Little's late partner" , "Gross" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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