Crossword Genius

Refuse to boast about one's years (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

garbage

'refuse' is the definition.
(I know that refuse can be written as garbage)

'boast about one's years' is the wordplay.
'boast' becomes 'brag' (brag is a kind of boast).
'about' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'one's years' becomes 'age'.
'brag' back-to-front is 'garb'.
'garb'+'age'='GARBAGE'

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for garbage that I've seen before include "Refuse - worthless talk" , "Rubbish, waste" , "Waste, refuse" , "'Refuse, rubbish (7)'" , "Litter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app