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Reported a solicitor who "indulged away from home" (3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ate out

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'reported a solicitor who indulged' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'away from home' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'away' could be 'out' (similar in meaning) and 'out' is found within the answer.
'from' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is located in the answer.
'home' could be 'at' (synonyms) and 'at' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ate out that I've seen before include "didn't cook at home?" , "Had dinner in restaurant" , "'Didn't dine at home (3,3)'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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