Crossword Genius

Tell a friend off the record (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

informally

'off the record' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'tell a friend' is the wordplay.
'tell' becomes 'in form' (I've seen this before).
'a friend' becomes 'ally' (an ally is a friend or supporter).
'inform'+'ally'='INFORMALLY'

(Other definitions for informally that I've seen before include "off the record" , "in relaxed fashion" , "in relaxed manner" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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