Crossword Genius

Mean mum, all midriff muscle? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shabby

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'mean' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'mum all midriff muscle?' is the wordplay.
'mum' becomes 'sh' (both can mean 'keep quiet').
'all midriff muscle?' becomes 'abby' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'sh'+'abby'='SHABBY'

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(Other definitions for shabby that I've seen before include "Dingy; dishonourable" , "Old and threadbare" , "Scruffy; unfair" , "Showing signs of wear and tear" , "Ill-dressed - mean" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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