Crossword Genius

"The beginning or the end for weak male?" scoffed colleague (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

workmate

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

'the beginning or the end for weak male? scoffed' is the wordplay.
'the beginning' becomes 'w' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'the end for' suggests the final letters.
'male?' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'scoffed' becomes 'ate' ('to scoff' is to eat).
The final letter of 'weak' is 'k'.
'w'+'or'+'k'+'m'+'ate'='WORKMATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for workmate that I've seen before include "Office colleague" , "Fellow employee" , "Tow maker (anag.)" .)

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