Crossword Genius

Saint breaking rule to stand down (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

resign

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

'stand down' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'saint breaking rule' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'saint' could be 's' and 's' is located in the answer.
'rule' could be 'reign' (reigning is a kind of ruling) and 'reign' is found in the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for resign that I've seen before include "admit defeat" , "Leave office voluntarily" , "Step down" , "Give up one's post" , "withdraw" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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