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Taking out a bit of Smirnoff in glass (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

offing

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

'taking out' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'a bit of smirnoff in glass' is the wordplay.
'a bit of' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'OFFING' is hidden within 'smirnoff in glass'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for offing that I've seen before include "In the - - : in sight, expected" , "main area" , "Sea within view of shore" , "Topping'" , "In the -- means likely to happen soon" .)

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