Crossword Genius

Spinning out half a week in Gateshead (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eking

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'spinning out' is the definition.
The definition suggests a verb in its base form which matches the answer.

'half a week in gateshead' is the wordplay.
'half a' suggests halving the letters.
'gateshead' becomes 'g' (head letter of 'gates').
'week' cut in half is 'ek'.
'ek'+'in'+'g'='EKING'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eking that I've seen before include "Squeezing (out)" , "With difficulty, making" , "... stretching" , "Making last longer by careful use" , "eg Kin (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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