Crossword Genius

Times getting stick, crikey! (2,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

by gum

'crikey' is the definition.
(both express surprise)

'times getting stick' is the wordplay.
'times' becomes 'by' (both can mean 'multiplied by').
'getting' says to put letters next to each other.
'stick' becomes 'gum' (gum can mean to glue or stick).
'by'+'gum'='BY GUM'

(Other definitions for by gum that I've seen before include "Mild oath (how things can be fixed!)" , "It's emphatically uttered" , "Brother in N England" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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