Crossword Genius

Make attempt to tuck into chutney after tops removed (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

establish

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

'make' is the definition.
(establishing is a kind of making)

'attempt to tuck into chutney after tops removed' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'attempt' could be 'stab' (I've seen this before) and 'stab' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for establish that I've seen before include "Set up or settle firmly in place" , "Set up on permanent basis, or show to be true" , "Show to be true in his stable" , "form" , "Set up or found" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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