Crossword Genius

Small earthquake upsetting Italian capital after short time, right? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tremor

'small earthquake' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'upsetting italian capital after short time right?' is the wordplay.
'upsetting' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'italian capital' becomes 'Rome' (capital of Italy).
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'short time' becomes 't' (abbreviation for time).
'right?' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'rome' in reverse letter order is 'emor'.
't'+'r'='tr'
'emor' put after 'tr' is 'TREMOR'.

(Other definitions for tremor that I've seen before include "Quaver" , "Vibration - shaking" , "Minor quake" , "Nervousness" , "Slight earthquake" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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