Crossword Genius

The object is to get a spare key (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thing

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

'the object is to' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'a spare key' is the wordplay.
'a spare' becomes 'thin' (I've seen this in another clue).
'key' becomes 'g' (musical key).
'thin'+'g'='THING'

'get' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for thing that I've seen before include "cup of tea" , "An unnamed object or item" , "Inanimate object" , "Body" , "Night (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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