Crossword Genius

Santa's terrible habit, poor thing, when cooped up? (14)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

claustrophobia

'thing when cooped up?' is the definition.
(discomfort experienced in a small space)

'santa's terrible habit poor' is the wordplay.
'santa' becomes 'claus' (Santa Claus).
'terrible' is an anagram indicator.
'habit'+'poor'='habitpoor'
'habitpoor' with letters rearranged gives 'trophobia'.
'claus'+'trophobia'='CLAUSTROPHOBIA'

(Other definitions for claustrophobia that I've seen before include "Fear of confinement" , "major worry over space" , "feeling of being badly stuck in a corner?" , "Fear of confined spaces" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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