Crossword Genius

Naughty boy — story about Tom maybe giving finger (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

implicate

'finger' is the definition.
(finger can mean to implicate in a crime)

'naughty boy story about tom maybe' is the wordplay.
'naughty boy' becomes 'imp' (imp can mean a misbehaving child).
'story' becomes 'lie' (story can mean a fabrication).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'tom maybe' becomes 'cat' (a tom is a male cat).
'lie' going around 'cat' is 'licate'.
'imp'+'licate'='IMPLICATE'

'giving' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for implicate that I've seen before include "Point finger at criminal" , "Grass up" , "Suggest someone is involved or took part in a crime" , "Involve in, say a crime" , "Involve in a crime, ensnare" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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