What does the cryptic crossword clue "He'd often check blue pens make the grade (7)" mean?

The definition is "He’d often check". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). PASS (synonym="make the grade") in SKY (synonym="blue") = SPASSKY; definition: "He'd often check" The answer is SPASSKY.

He'd often check blue pens make the grade (7)

Times Cryptic #29138 | 17 Down | 2025-01-28 flower

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