Crossword Genius

Reduce church work (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chop

'reduce' is the definition.
(both can mean to chop)

'church work' is the wordplay.
'church' becomes 'ch' (common abbreviation).
'work' becomes 'op' (common abbreviation for 'opus').
'ch'+'op'='CHOP'

(Other definitions for chop that I've seen before include "Cut into small pieces" , "Thick slice of meat including rib" , "Cut of meat; hack" , "Cut of meat - the sack" , "Cutting blow" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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