Crossword Genius

Vera is upset after sailor gets caustic (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abrasive

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'caustic' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both substances as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'vera is upset after sailor' is the wordplay.
'upset' indicates an anagram.
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'vera'+'is'='verais'
'verais' is an anagram of 'rasive'.
'rasive' put after 'ab' is 'ABRASIVE'.

'gets' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abrasive that I've seen before include "Causing irritation" , "Harsh; eg, emery" , "Pumice, for example" , "Emery paper or steel wool, say" , "(Of a character) confrontational or sharply disagreeable" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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