Crossword Genius

Skinflint pull spirit back? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

niggard

'skinflint' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'pull spirit back?' is the wordplay.
'pull' becomes 'drag' (dragging is a kind of pulling).
'spirit' becomes 'gin' (alcoholic spirit).
'back?' says the letters should be written in reverse (I've seen 'backed' mean this).
'drag'+'gin'='draggin'
'draggin' backwards is 'NIGGARD'.

(Other definitions for niggard that I've seen before include "Skinflint" , "Super-saver" , "Mean type" , "Drag gin around for the miser" , "Scrooge" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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