Crossword Genius

Mother Riley's initial ruin! (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mar

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

'mother riley's initial' is the wordplay.
'mother' becomes 'ma' (ma is a kind of mother).
'initial' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'riley' is 'r'.
'ma'+'r'='MAR'

(Other definitions for mar that I've seen before include "Ram into and spoil" , "Spoil stuff" , "Disfigure" , "Make imperfect" , "hurt" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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