Crossword Genius

Left victuals about to match intense beam (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

floodlight

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

'intense beam' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'left victuals about to match' is the wordplay.
'left victuals about' becomes 'flood' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'to match' becomes 'light' (I've seen this before).
'flood'+'light'='FLOODLIGHT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for floodlight that I've seen before include "Sports ground illuminator" , "Means for illuminating" , "Powerful illumination" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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