Crossword Genius

Reduce the work force with enthusiasm (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fire

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'enthusiasm' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'reduce the work force' is the wordplay.
'reduce the work' becomes 'fir' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'force' becomes 'e' (E is the symbol of electromotive force).
'fir'+'e'='FIRE'

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fire that I've seen before include "There's no smoke without it" , "Shoot; sack" , "Manually operated device for dealing with flames" , "Trigger" , "Inspire" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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