Crossword Genius

Kitchen device imbecile partner ruined initially (5,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lemon squeezer

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

'imbecile partner ruined initially' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'kitchen device' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'kitchen device' could be 'squeezer' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'squeezer' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'lemon' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lemon squeezer that I've seen before include "Juicer for citrus fruit" , "produces juicy stuff" , "Kitchen utensil" , "Device for extracting juice" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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