Crossword Genius

Just about out of debt, with a few coins (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

afloat

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

'just about out' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'of debt with a few coins' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is located in the answer.
'a' is within the answer.
The remaining letters 'flat' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for afloat that I've seen before include "get out of debt" , "At sea, on the water" , "On board a ship or boat" , "Borne on the water" , "Aboard ship" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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