Crossword Genius

Resolve current refusal to admit to defeat (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

iron out

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

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

'current refusal to admit to defeat' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'current' could be 'i' (symbol for electric current) and 'i' is located in the answer.
'refusal' could be 'no' and 'no' is present in the answer.
'defeat' could be 'rout' (routing is a kind of defeating) and 'rout' is found within the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for iron out that I've seen before include "Settle a problem" , "Clear up (wrinkles in clothes or agreement)" , "ready for an evening exercise?" , "Resolve" , "Solve (one's differences?)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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