Crossword Genius

Worry about stitch in time? On the contrary (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stew

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'worry about' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'stitch in time? on the contrary' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'time?' could be 't' (abbreviation) and 't' is found in the answer.
'stitch' could be 'sew' (synonyms) and 'sew' is found within the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stew that I've seen before include "Simmer" , "Artificial oyster bed" , "Cook using pot" , "Sweat" , "Agitated state" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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