Crossword Genius

Small youngster got illuminated and separated (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

split up

'separated' is the definition.
(split up can mean separated or divorced)

'small youngster got illuminated' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'youngster' becomes 'pup' (a pup is a young dog).
'got' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'illuminated' becomes 'lit' (synonyms).
'pup' enclosing 'lit' is 'plitup'.
's'+'plitup'='SPLIT UP'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for split up that I've seen before include "Separate" , "End a relationship" , "Part company" , "Parted company" , "Divorce" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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