Crossword Genius

Split, or stick together, being caught with time off (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cleave

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'split' is the definition.
(I know that split can be written as cleave)

'caught with time off' is the wordplay.
'caught' becomes 'c' (cricket abbreviation).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'time off' becomes 'leave' (leave is a kind of time off).
'c'+'leave'='CLEAVE'

'or stick together being' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cleave that I've seen before include "Split with the grain" , "Separate with violence" , "Chop or stick to" , "Part" , "Split as with axe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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