Crossword Genius

Tool for gripping underwear husband discarded (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tongs

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

'tool' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'for gripping underwear husband discarded' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'for' could be 'to' (eg both can mean 'in the opinion of') and 'to' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ngs' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tongs that I've seen before include "Fireside instrument with two gripping arms" , "Chinese gangs" , "Means to pick up" , "Sugar-lump holders" , "lots of criminals out East" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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