Crossword Genius

Overheard, a beautiful thing (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

affair

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

'thing' is the definition.
(I know that thing can be written as affair)

'overheard a beautiful' is the wordplay.
'overheard' becomes 'af' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a beautiful' becomes 'fair' (I've seen this before).
'af'+'fair'='AFFAIR'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for affair that I've seen before include "A fling (or something more serious?)" , "Liaison or intrigue" , "Secret liaison" , "Illicit liaison" , "Matter or concern, perhaps of the heart" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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