Crossword Genius

One has a right to make a mistake about the animal (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

giraffe

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

'one has a right to make a mistake about' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'has' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'a right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'to make a mistake' becomes 'gaffe' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'i'+'r'='ir'
'ir' put within 'gaffe' is 'GIRAFFE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for giraffe that I've seen before include "Tallest beast" , "Lofty browser's" , "Fire fag at the animal" , "Tall creature" , "Long-necked ruminant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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