Crossword Genius

Mean to be taking off some rind? (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cheeseparing

'mean' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'taking off some rind?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'some' could be 'a' and 'a' is found in the answer.
'rind?' could be 'cheese' (cheese rind is a kind of rind) and 'cheese' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to be' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for cheeseparing that I've seen before include "Close" , "parsimonious behaviour" , "Mean with money" , "Penny-pinching" , "Stinginess" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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