What does the cryptic crossword clue "To shoot old fowl is work of little merit (9)" mean?

The definition is "work of little merit". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). POT (synonym="to shoot") + BOILER (synonym="an old chicken or other fowl") = POTBOILER; definition: "work of little merit" The answer is POTBOILER.

To shoot old fowl is work of little merit (9)

Guardian Cryptic #29555 | 16 Down | 2024-12-02 flower

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