Crossword Genius

Tried fire out, scared (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

terrified

'scared' is the definition.
(terrifying is a kind of scaring)

'tried fire out' is the wordplay.
'out' indicates anagramming the letters (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'tried'+'fire'='triedfire'
'triedfire' is an anagram of 'TERRIFIED'.

(Other definitions for terrified that I've seen before include "Panic-stricken - dire refit (anag)" , "Greatly frightened" , "Extremely frightened" , "Scared stiff" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app