Crossword Genius

She plays with a key in a lock (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

actress

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

'she plays with a' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'key in a lock' is the wordplay.
'key' becomes 'c' (musical key).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'lock' becomes 'tress' (both can mean a piece of hair).
'a'+'tress'='atress'
'c' put inside 'atress' is 'ACTRESS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for actress that I've seen before include "Female thespian" , "Female performer" , "Female player" , "eg Emma Thompson" , "One playing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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