Crossword Genius

Surge? This does, regularly (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tide

'surge?' is the definition.
(I know that surge can be written as tide)

'this does regularly' is the wordplay.
'regularly' means one should take alternating letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'this'+'does'='thisdoes'
The alternating letters of 'thisdoes' are 'TIDE'.

(Other definitions for tide that I've seen before include "Season; current" , "Powerful surge" , "What might carry" , "Current, ebb" , "One thing that waits for no man" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun, The Times and The Independent.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.