Tactics Harpo contrived with dire outcome (12)

I believe the answer is:

catastrophic

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'tactics harpo contrived with dire outcome' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'tactics harpo contrived' is the wordplay.
'contrived' indicates an anagram.
'tactics'+'harpo'='tacticsharpo'
'tacticsharpo' anagrammed gives 'CATASTROPHIC'.

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(Other definitions for catastrophic that I've seen before include "Disastrous" , "Chaotic parts (anag)" , "Causing sudden damage" , "Extremely unfortunate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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