Crossword Genius

Marriages showing problems afoot? Not the first (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

unions

'marriages' is the definition.
('union' can be a synonym of 'marriage')

'problems afoot? not the first' is the wordplay.
'problems afoot?' becomes 'bunions' (a bunion is a bump on the foot).
'not the first' means to remove the first letter.
'bunions' with its first letter removed is 'UNIONS'.

'showing' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for unions that I've seen before include "Workers' associations" , "Marriages or workers' organisations" , "Couplings and labour organisations" , "Undoes a knot" , "Employee's organisations" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.