Crossword Genius

Man's situation woman has abused, smuggling in ecstasy (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

irish sea

'man's situation' is the definition.
(the Isle of Man is in the Irish Sea)

'woman has abused smuggling in ecstasy' is the wordplay.
'woman' becomes 'iris' (woman's name).
'abused' indicates anagramming the letters.
'smuggling in' is an insertion indicator.
'ecstasy' becomes 'E' (informal term for the drug).
'has' anagrammed gives 'hsa'.
'hsa' enclosing 'e' is 'hsea'.
'iris'+'hsea'='IRISH SEA'

(Other definitions for irish sea that I've seen before include "It separates us from Britain" , "It lies between England and us" , "Water to west of Britain" , "Waters separating Ireland from England and Wales" , "Isle of Man location" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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