Crossword Genius

Locals chopped with very loud axes (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

calls off

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'axes' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'locals chopped with very loud' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'locals' is 'callso' which is present in the answer.
'loud' could be 'ff' (short for fortissimo - 'very loud' in music) and 'ff' is present in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

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