Crossword Genius

Make light of mite and saw he crumbled (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

whitewash

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

'make light' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'mite and saw he crumbled' is the wordplay.
'mite' becomes 'whit' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'crumbled' indicates anagramming the letters.
'saw'+'he'='sawhe'
'sawhe' with letters rearranged gives 'ewash'.
'whit'+'ewash'='WHITEWASH'

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for whitewash that I've seen before include "Gloss over mistakes or faults, using wall or celing paint? (9)" , "Gloss over, suppress" , "Substance applied to a wall - total defeat" , "Attempt to conceal bad news" , "Lime solution; cover up" .)

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