Crossword Genius

Tory takes a long time to shut up (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cage

'shut up' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'tory takes a long time' is the wordplay.
'tory' becomes 'c'.
'takes' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a long time' becomes 'age' ('age' can be a synonym of 'long time'**).
'c'+'age'='CAGE'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for cage that I've seen before include "In places squirrel's nest" , "Barred container" , "Eg, aviary" , "Enclosure made from metal bars" , "Confine -- US composer, d. 1992" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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