Crossword Genius

Pitiful expression in ad removed from pine frontage (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

long face

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

'pitiful expression' is the definition.
'long face' can be an answer for 'expression' (I have seen 'Unhappy expression' mean 'long face' so perhaps 'expression' could also mean 'long face'). I'm not certain of the 'pitiful' bit.

'ad removed from pine frontage' is the wordplay.
'removed from' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'pine' becomes 'long' (to pine for something is to long for it).
'frontage' becomes 'facade' (synonyms).
'long'+'facade'='longfacade'
'longfacade' with 'ad' taken away is 'LONG FACE'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for long face that I've seen before include "Unhappy expression" , "Elongated visage for dismal expression" , "expression of disappointment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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