Crossword Genius

What some do when all but first of harvest fails? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

starve

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

'what some do' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun but the answer is not.

'all but first of harvest fails?' is the wordplay.
'all but first of' means to remove the first letter (all but the first letter).
'fails?' indicates an anagram (a failed spelling).
'harvest' with its initial letter taken off is 'arvest'.
'arvest' with letters rearranged gives 'STARVE'.

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for starve that I've seen before include "Die of hunger" , "Fail to take in" , "Go without food" , "Suffer from food deprivation" , "Become famished" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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