What does the cryptic crossword clue "Letter about surrender, as near as dammit? (3,5)" mean?

The definition is "as near as dammit". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). QUIT (synonym="‘surrender’") in NOTE (synonym="‘letter’") = NOTQUITE; definition: "as near as dammit?" The answer is NOTQUITE.

Letter about surrender, as near as dammit? (3,5)

Guardian Cryptic #29304 | 21 Across | 2024-02-13 flower

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