Crossword Genius

Only just made it. No good holding earth in (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

near thing

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'only just made it' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'no good holding earth in' is the wordplay.
'no good' becomes 'ng' (abbreviation).
'holding' is an insertion indicator.
'earth'+'in'='earthin'
'ng' going around 'earthin' is 'NEAR THING'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for near thing that I've seen before include "Lucky escape" , "Narrow escape, missed by a small margin (4.5)" , "Narrow escape, close shave" , "dangerous" , "Something that barely avoids failure or disaster" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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