Crossword Genius

Ship, with hesitation, has problems (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sums

'problems' is the definition.
(arithmetic problems)

'ship with hesitation' is the wordplay.
'ship' becomes 'ss'.
'with' is an insertion indicator.
'hesitation' becomes 'um'.
'ss' enclosing 'um' is 'SUMS'.

'has' is the link.

(Other definitions for sums that I've seen before include "Amounts of money" , "Exercises in arithmetic" , "Quantities obtained by addition" , "Calculations" .)

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