Crossword Genius

Perform a self-effacing action (6,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

commit suicide

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

'perform a self-effacing' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot judge whether this works.

'action' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'action' could be 'suicide' (suicide is a kind of action) and 'suicide' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'commit' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

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