Crossword Genius

Shut up about every other couple in love seat (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

close

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

'shut' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'up about every other couple in love seat' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'about' could be 'c' (circa) and 'c' is found within the answer.
'love' could be 'o' (love means zero in tennis) and 'o' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'lse' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for close that I've seen before include "Approaching - tight - finish" , "Near, mean or humid" , "Not far off" , "Shut - sultry" , "residential street" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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