Crossword Genius

Minute deception nobbles sense (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

smell

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sense' is the definition.
(I know that sense can be written as smell)

'minute deception nobbles' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'minute' could be 'm' (abbreviation) and 'm' is found within the answer.
'deception' could be 'sell' (old-fashioned term for a hoax or con) and 'sell' is found within the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for smell that I've seen before include "Nasal sense" , "stink" , "Scent" , "Unpleasant odour" , "Perceive through the nose" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app