Crossword Genius

Lock phone, given licence (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ringlet

'lock' is the definition.
(both can mean a piece of someone's hair)

'phone given licence' is the wordplay.
'phone' becomes 'ring' (synonyms).
'given licence' becomes 'let' (to give licence is to let someone do something).
'ring'+'let'='RINGLET'

(Other definitions for ringlet that I've seen before include "hair styling" , "Hair curl, of an Irish dancer perhaps" , "Curled lock of hair" , "Curling lock of hair" , "A curl - kind of tingler" .)

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