Crossword Genius

Just say no, it must be returned by the soldiers (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mention

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

'just say no' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'it must be returned by the soldiers' is the wordplay.
'it' becomes ''t' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis).
'must' becomes 'noi' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'be returned' says the letters should be written in reverse (I've seen 'being returned' mean this).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the soldiers' becomes 'men' (I've seen this before).
'noi' backwards is 'ion'.
't'+'ion'='tion'
'tion' put after 'men' is 'MENTION'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mention that I've seen before include "Briefly refer to (something)" , "Allude to" , "Make reference to" , "Remark" , "Cite; quote" .)

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