Crossword Genius

Phone teacher who may send in the clowns? (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ringmaster

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

'phone teacher who may send in the clowns?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'phone teacher' is the wordplay.
'phone' becomes 'ring' (to ring on the phone).
'teacher' becomes 'master' (I've seen this before).
'ring'+'master'='RINGMASTER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ringmaster that I've seen before include "circus performer" , "Top top man" , "who cracks the whip?" , "Circus compere" , "Circus controller" .)

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