Crossword Genius

Surface belly up? (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

top

'surface' is the definition.
(top is a kind of surface)

'belly up?' is the wordplay.
'belly' becomes 'pot' ('pot' can be a synonym of 'belly').
'up?' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'pot' in reverse letter order is 'TOP'.

(Other definitions for top that I've seen before include "Better" , "premier" , "Peak; child's toy" , "The upper part" , "Crown" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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