Crossword Genius

Underlying principle of some food and drink (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rationale

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

'underlying principle' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'some food and drink' is the wordplay.
'some food' becomes 'ration' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'drink' becomes 'ale' (type of beer).
'ration'+'ale'='RATIONALE'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rationale that I've seen before include "Logical reasons (for action)" , "Logic, reasoning" , "Good reason" , "Basis of logic" , "Logical basis (for a course of action)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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