Crossword Genius

Service down a shade (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

navy blue

'a shade' is the definition.
(shade of blue)

'service down' is the wordplay.
'service' becomes 'navy' (navy is a kind of service).
'down' becomes 'blue' (both can mean sad).
'navy'+'blue'='NAVY-BLUE'

(Other definitions for navy blue that I've seen before include "Dark colour as worn by officers at sea" , "Colour darker than royal" , "Shade - venal buy (anag)" , "Dark shade, worn by mariners?" , "Senior Service colour" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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