Crossword Genius

Not being straight in dreadful court (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

indirect

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

'not being straight' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'in dreadful court' is the wordplay.
'dreadful' becomes 'dire' (synonyms).
'court' becomes 'ct' (abbreviation used in road names).
'in'+'dire'+'ct'='INDIRECT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for indirect that I've seen before include "Circuitous, oblique" , "Circumlocutory" , "Not following the shortest way" , "(Of tax) levied on goods rather than income" , "Neither straight or straightforward" .)

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