Crossword Genius

Lock soldier up inside for hunting female (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tigress

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

'hunting female' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'lock soldier up inside' is the wordplay.
'lock' becomes 'tress' (both can mean a piece of hair).
'soldier' becomes 'GI' (GI can mean a US soldier).
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'inside' indicates putting letters inside.
'gi' backwards is 'ig'.
'tress' enclosing 'ig' is 'TIGRESS'.

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tigress that I've seen before include "Female big cat" , "hunting animal" , "Female wildcat" , "Large she-cat" , "Striped feline female" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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