Crossword Genius

Public scoffing enormous apples initially -- have too many? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

overeat

'have too many?' is the definition.

'public scoffing enormous apples initially' is the wordplay.
'public' becomes 'overt' (both can mean well-known or unconcealed).
'scoffing' is an insertion indicator.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'enormous apples' is 'ea'.
'overt' going around 'ea' is 'OVEREAT'.

(Other definitions for overeat that I've seen before include "Take in excess" , "Consume too much like a glutton" , "Be gluttonous" , "Consume excessively" , "Be greedy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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