Crossword Genius

They've got their lines crossed (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mongrels

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

'they've got' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'lines crossed' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'lines' could be 'els' (el is a kind of line) and 'els' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'their' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mongrels that I've seen before include "Dogs of mixed breed" , "Dogs of mixed breeds" .)

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