Crossword Genius

Plucky action taken by some of the players (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pizzicato

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'plucky' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'action taken by some of the players' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'by' could be 'at' and 'at' is found in the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pizzicato that I've seen before include "To be plucked (musical)" , "Played by plucking" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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