Crossword Genius

Trick ref and get United flying — on a roll (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

subterfuge

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

'a roll' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'trick ref and get united flying' is the wordplay.
'trick' becomes 'sub' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'united' becomes 'U' (abbreviation).
'flying' is an anagram indicator (letters fly around into new positions).
'ref'+'get'+'u'='refgetu'
'refgetu' anagrammed gives 'terfuge'.
'sub'+'terfuge'='SUBTERFUGE'

'on' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for subterfuge that I've seen before include "Ploy" , "shifty conduct" , "Duplicity" , "Machination" , "Scheme" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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