Crossword Genius

Tot needs a leg up (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nip

'tot' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'a leg up' is the wordplay.
'a leg' becomes 'pin' (pin is a kind of leg).
'up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'pin' written backwards gives 'NIP'.

'needs' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for nip that I've seen before include "Quick, sharp, bite" , "Pinch; bite" , "Pinch, maybe in the bud" , "Pinch - tot" , "small amount to drink" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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