Crossword Genius

Strained relations with former partner over telephone (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extension

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'telephone' is the definition.
(extension is a kind of telephone)

'strained relations with former partner' is the wordplay.
'strained relations' becomes 'tension' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'former partner' becomes 'ex' (an ex-partner).
'tension' put after 'ex' is 'EXTENSION'.

'over' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for extension that I've seen before include "telephone number" , "Additional rooms" , "time added on" , "more rooms in house maybe" , "supplement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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