Crossword Genius

Novel Dahl wrote to stand up to examination (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hold water

'stand up to examination' is the definition.
(both can mean to survive being scrutinised)

'novel dahl wrote' is the wordplay.
'novel' indicates anagramming the letters.
'dahl'+'wrote'='dahlwrote'
'dahlwrote' is an anagram of 'HOLD WATER'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for hold water that I've seen before include "Butt may" , "Cistern is intended to" , "Kettle will usually" , "are worth examining" , "stand up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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