Crossword Genius

Top universities where climber gets some distance? (3,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ivy league

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

'top universities' is the definition.
'ivy league' can be an answer for 'universities' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'top' bit.

'climber gets some distance?' is the wordplay.
'climber' becomes 'ivy' (ivy is a climbing plant).
'gets' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'some distance?' becomes 'league'.
'ivy'+'league'='IVY LEAGUE'

'where' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ivy league that I've seen before include "Eight prestigious US universities" , "Group of US universities of high prestige" , "Prestigious group of US universities" , "Group of eight prestigious USA universities" , "Brown is one of its members" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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