Crossword Genius

Trouble cutting easy to chew batter? (4-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tail-ender

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'chew batter?' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'trouble cutting easy' is the wordplay.
'trouble' becomes 'ail' ('ail' can be a synonym of 'trouble').
'cutting' means one lot of letters goes inside another (some letters cut their way into a word).
'easy' becomes 'tender' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ail' placed within 'tender' is 'TAIL-ENDER'.

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tail-ender that I've seen before include "Last cricketer in" , "Last man" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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