What does the cryptic crossword clue "When half-cut fame and talent can be deadly (5)" mean?

The definition is "deadly". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). FA (synonym="letters remaining in FA ME when ME, the final 2 of 4 [half] l etters are excluded [cut]") + TAL (synonym="letters remaining in TAL ENT when ENT, the final 3 of 6 [half] letters are excluded [cut]") = FATAL; definition: "deadly" The answer is FATAL.

When half-cut fame and talent can be deadly (5)

Independent Cryptic #11887 | 23 Down | 2024-11-14 flower

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