Crossword Genius

Pals keeping quiet may be fools (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chumps

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

'pals keeping quiet' is the wordplay.
'pals' becomes 'chums' ('chum' can be a synonym of 'pal').
'keeping' is an insertion indicator (some letters kept inside).
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano', ie soft or quiet).
'chums' placed around 'p' is 'CHUMPS'.

'may' acts as a link.

(Another definition for chumps that I've seen is " Fools".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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