Lowering feathers on classification (11)
I believe the answer is:
downgrading
'lowering feathers on classification' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are present participle verbs, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'lowering feathers on' is the wordplay.
'lowering' becomes 'grading' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'feathers' becomes 'down' (down can mean bird feathers).
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'grading' after 'down' is 'DOWNGRADING'.
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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