Crossword Genius

Lied in order to be lazy (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

idle

'lazy' is the definition.
('idle' can be similar in meaning to 'lazy')

'lied in order' is the wordplay.
'in order' indicates an anagram (the letters in a new order).
'lied' anagrammed gives 'IDLE'.

'to be' is the link.

(Other definitions for idle that I've seen before include "Member of comedy team" , "Monty Python's Eric, b. 1943" , "Inactive - lied (anag)" , "Futile" , "Eric, perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Globe and Mail.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app