Crossword Genius

Profitable scheme remains limited by County Council? That’s painful (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cash cow

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

'profitable scheme' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'remains limited by county council? that's painful' is the wordplay.
'remains' becomes 'ash' (remains of a fire).
'limited by' indicates putting letters inside (limit can mean to contain or border off).
'county council?' becomes 'cc' (this could be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
'that's painful' becomes 'ow' (I've seen this in other clues).
'ash' put within 'cc' is 'cashc'.
'cashc'+'ow'='CASH COW'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cash cow that I've seen before include "Business making large profits" , "Money-spinning business" , "Lucrative activity" , "Saw choc (anag.); steady investment" , "E.g. business milked for money" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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