Crossword Genius

Python with tongue maybe going after sloth (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

idleness

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

'going after sloth' is the definition.
'idleness' can be an answer for 'sloth' (I've seen this in another clue). I am unsure of the 'going after' bit.

'python with tongue' is the wordplay.
'python' becomes 'idle' (Eric Idle, member of Monty Python).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'tongue' becomes 'ness' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'idle'+'ness'='IDLENESS'

'maybe' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for idleness that I've seen before include "Send lies (anag.)" , "State of doing nothing" , "Lazy behaviour" , "Sloth - there may be love in it" , "Lack of activity" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.
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