Crossword Genius

Many have to be cut short (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mown

'be cut short' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'many have' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'm' (Roman numeral for a thousand).
'have' becomes 'own' (to have something is to own it).
'm'+'own'='MOWN'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for mown that I've seen before include "(Of grass) cut" , "Cut down with a blade" , "Block of cast metal" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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