Crossword Genius

Outstanding money group rejected for laboratory (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

test bed

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

'laboratory' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'outstanding money group rejected' is the wordplay.
'outstanding' becomes 'debt' (I've seen this before).
'money group' becomes 'set' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'rejected' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'debt'+'set'='debtset'
'debtset' reversed gives 'TEST-BED'.

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for test bed that I've seen before include "place for experimental trials" , "trial equipment" , "engineers are working on it" , "Practise sleeping" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app