Crossword Genius

OK, nonsense writer taking husband’s place in gamble (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

clearance

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

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

'nonsense writer taking husband's place in gamble' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'writer' could be 'lear' (I have seen 'comic writer' mean 'lear' so perhaps 'writer' could also mean 'lear') and 'lear' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for clearance that I've seen before include "demolition" , "Green light" , "evacuation" , "Authority" , "Eviction from lands" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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