Crossword Genius

When skin turns numb (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asleep

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

'when skin turns' is the wordplay.
'when' becomes 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked').
'skin' becomes 'peel' (synonyms).
'turns' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'peel' reversed gives 'leep'.
'as'+'leep'='ASLEEP'

(Other definitions for asleep that I've seen before include "Slumbering" , "Please be at rest, oddly" , "Dead to the world" , "not paying attention" , "like a kipper" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.