Crossword Genius

To be paid nothing to fly (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

owing

'to be paid' is the definition.
(eg an unpaid bill is owing)

'nothing to fly' is the wordplay.
'nothing' becomes 'O' (looks like zero - 0).
'to fly' becomes 'wing' (synonyms).
'o'+'wing'='OWING'

(Other definitions for owing that I've seen before include "Due to, like debt" , "Unpaid" , "Outstanding as a debt" , "Still outstanding" , "(Of money) outstanding" .)

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