Crossword Genius

Taking the rest of the night (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asleep

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'taking the rest of the night' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'taking the rest' is the wordplay.
'taking' becomes 'a' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'the rest' becomes 'sleep' ('sleep' can be a synonym of 'rest').
'a'+'sleep'='ASLEEP'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for asleep that I've seen before include "Having nodded off" , "Napping" , "like a kipper" , "coiled up?" , "this fast?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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