Crossword Genius

Praise mending of tyre after punctured (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

flattery

'praise' is the definition.
(flattery is a kind of praise)

'mending of tyre after punctured' is the wordplay.
'mending of' is an anagram indicator.
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'punctured' becomes 'flat' (as in a flat tyre).
'tyre' is an anagram of 'tery'.
'tery' put after 'flat' is 'FLATTERY'.

(Other definitions for flattery that I've seen before include "''Imitation is the sincerest form of . . . . . . . .'' (8)" , "Cosying up" , "Compliments" , "Left tray (anag.)" , "Mendacious praise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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