Crossword Genius

Personal insult loved by a miserly director? (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cheap shot

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

'personal insult loved' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'by a miserly director?' is the wordplay.
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'a miserly' becomes 'cheap' (I've seen this in another clue).
'director?' becomes 'shot' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'cheap' put next to 'shot' is 'CHEAP SHOT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cheap shot that I've seen before include "Unkind act" , "Barbed comment exploiting known weakness of target" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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