Crossword Genius

Simple end to storyline that's somewhat hackneyed (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

threadbare

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

'hackneyed' is the definition.
(I know that hackneyed can be written as threadbare)

'simple end to storyline that's somewhat' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'simple' could be 'bare' (synonyms) and 'bare' is found in the answer.
'storyline' could be 'thread' (I've seen this before) and 'thread' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for threadbare that I've seen before include "Frayed" , "Hackneyed" , "poor" , "deprived of nap" , "cliche-ridden" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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