Crossword Genius

Murphy needs time to replace quiet boss (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stud

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

'boss' is the definition.
(both can mean a metal decoration)

'murphy needs time to replace quiet' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'time' could be 't' (abbreviation) and 't' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sud' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stud that I've seen before include "Small jewellery item" , "Part of a football boot" , "Collar button or horse farm" , "who believes he can keep it up" , "A lot of horses" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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