Crossword Genius

Would cheddar, say, bring consolation? (4,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hard cheese

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

'consolation?' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'would cheddar say' is the wordplay.
'would' becomes 'hard' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'cheddar say' becomes 'cheese' (cheddar is a kind of cheese).
'hard'+'cheese'='HARD CHEESE'

'bring' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hard cheese that I've seen before include "mousetrap" , "Che sfortuna!" , "Expression of sympathy" , "Tough luck (informal)" , "Leicester" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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