What does the cryptic crossword clue "The men are coarse — also smoother! (4,3,4)" mean?

The definition is "The men". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). RANK (synonym="are") + AND (abbreviation="also") + FILE (synonym="smoother!") = RANK AND FILE; definition: "The men" The answer is RANK AND FILE.

The men are coarse — also smoother! (4,3,4)

Times Cryptic #28720 | 12 Down | 2023-09-28 flower

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