Crossword Genius

Three times a day, that's a way to be neatest (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tidiest

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'be neatest' is the definition.
('tidy' can be a synonym of 'neat')

'three times a day that's a way' is the wordplay.
'three times' becomes 'ti' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a day' becomes 'd' (abbreviation for day).
'that's' becomes 'ie'.
'a way' becomes 'st' (abbreviation for street).
'ti'+'d'+'ie'+'st'='TIDIEST'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tidiest that I've seen before include "Neatest" , "smarter than anything" , "most trim" , "Extremely organised" , "One orderly more than others" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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