What does the cryptic crossword clue "Elements doing no good — time for a dire warning? (9)" mean?

The definition is "Elements". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). ACTIN (synonym="ACTIN") + IDES (synonym="”time for a dire warning” as in ‘beware the ides of March’ [wiki]") = ACTINIDES; definition: "Elements" The answer is ACTINIDES.

Elements doing no good — time for a dire warning? (9)

Guardian Cryptic #29137 | 1 Across | 2023-08-01 flower

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