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Put the screws on firm, marble-top gym locker for beginner (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

compel

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

'locker for beginner' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'put the screws on firm marble-top gym' is the wordplay.
'put the screws' becomes 'l' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'firm' becomes 'co' (a firm is a company).
'marble-top' becomes 'm' (top of the word 'marble-').
'gym' becomes 'pe' (short for Physical Education).
'co'+'m'+'pe'='compe'
'l' put after 'compe' is 'COMPEL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for compel that I've seen before include "Coerce, force to obey" , "Bring about by force" , "Use force or influence to make person do something" , "'Force, oblige (6)'" , "Use force, oblige" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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