Crossword Genius

Seriously hot and dread taking top off near home (2,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

in earnest

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

'seriously' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'hot and dread taking top off near home' is the wordplay.
'hot' becomes 'in' (both can mean fashionable).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'dread' becomes 'fear' (synonyms).
'taking top off' means to remove the first letter.
'near home' becomes 'nest' (a bird's home. I am not sure about the 'near' bit.).
'fear' with its initial letter removed is 'ear'.
'in'+'ear'+'nest'='IN EARNEST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for in earnest that I've seen before include "resolutely" , "Sincere in intention" , "Not joking" , "With serious intentions" , "seriously" .)

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