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Starts to slurp litre away on hikes (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

surprises

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'starts' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'slurp litre away on hikes' is the wordplay.
'litre' becomes 'L' (abbreviation).
'away' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'on' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'hikes' becomes 'rises' ('rise' can be a synonym of 'hike').
'slurp' with 'l' removed is 'surp'.
'surp'+'rises'='SURPRISES'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for surprises that I've seen before include "Sudden, unexpected events" , "Astonishes" , "Shocks" , "Takes unawares" , "bowls over" .)

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