Crossword Genius

Late exercises stopping at one (2,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

at peace

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

'exercises stopping at one' is the wordplay.
'exercises' becomes 'pe' (Physical Education class).
'stopping' indicates putting letters inside (stopping can mean blocking a gap).
'one' becomes 'ace' (ace has a value of one in some card games).
'at'+'ace'='atace'
'pe' inserted within 'atace' is 'AT PEACE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for at peace that I've seen before include "pushing up the daisies" , "Resting serenely" , "Not disputing" , "In a state of serenity" , "Dead?" .)

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