Crossword Genius

Old rebate hard to change (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

threadbare

'old' is the definition.

'rebate hard to change' is the wordplay.
'to change' indicates an anagram.
'rebate'+'hard'='rebatehard'
'rebatehard' is an anagram of 'THREADBARE'.

(Other definitions for threadbare that I've seen before include "Thin, tattered, worn out" , "Shabby" , "Hackneyed" , "Well-worn" , "Ragged" .)

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