Crossword Genius

Living around poverty, but some way from going under? (4-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

knee-deep

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'some way from going under?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'living around poverty' is the wordplay.
'living' becomes 'keep' (synonyms).
'around' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'poverty' becomes 'need' (need is a kind of poverty).
'keep' going around 'need' is 'KNEE-DEEP'.

'but' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for knee-deep that I've seen before include "Halfway up one's leg" , "Thoroughly involved (in)" , "Deeply involved (in something)" , "Submerged to one's patella" , "Coming half way up the leg" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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