Crossword Genius

Want to carry can for teetotalism (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abstinence

'teetotalism' is the definition.
(abstinence from alcohol)

'want to carry can' is the wordplay.
'want' becomes 'absence' (both can mean a lack).
'to carry' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'can' becomes 'tin' (synonyms).
'absence' placed around 'tin' is 'ABSTINENCE'.

'for' is the link.

(Other definitions for abstinence that I've seen before include "giving it up" , "Teetotalism" , "The avoidance of alcohol" , "Practice of refraining from indulging an appetite" , "Not drinking" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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