Crossword Genius

Live, as this could be the end! (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

terminal

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

'end' is the definition.
(I know that end can be written as terminal)

'live as this could be the' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'live' could be 'l' (electrical abbreviation) and 'l' is found within the answer.
'as' could be 'in' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'in' is found in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'erma' 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 terminal that I've seen before include "Occurring at the end" , "Ending; airport building" , "Electric connection" , "Electrical connection" , "Concluding, final" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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