Crossword Genius

Shell out about fifty for game (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

play

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'game' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'shell out about fifty' is the wordplay.
'shell out' becomes 'pay' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'fifty' becomes 'l' (roman numeral).
'pay' enclosing 'l' is 'PLAY'.

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for play that I've seen before include "Portray in a drama" , "Amuse oneself - drama" , "Frolic" , "Stage work" , "Freedom of movement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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