Colossus No. 112 - Cryptic

Hi Melissa

I have gone for "prize" an alternative for "award". I would have gone for "prise" if the the word leverage had been "lever".

Hope this help.
btw. Have a nice party.

Rarely can anyone have challenged the crossword genius that is Dutchy without getting egg on their face, so I may be stepping in rashly here, but I think it is PRISE. It looks like a classic two part cryptic (definition and word make-up) and I think that "Use leverage" is the definition, which would be PRISE. "Get award we hear" is the classic "sounds like" clue, which means it would sound like prize.

Sorry to argue, Dutchy, but perhaps you'll PM me when the answers are out to let me know if my face needs washing!!!

Oh dear, this has put a cat among the pigeons!

I had PRIZE; (going by the two part definition) Use leverage (Prise) to get award (to reach what we are seeking - the Prize) which sounds the same.

But I can see Tufdevil's interpretation as well. I will think about this over the next few days and if I come up with a stronger argument either way I will get back to you.

If you'd 'sat in his lap' (in joke) you'd show a tad more insouciance, however, Dutchy's answer is correct for the wrong reason in my opinion, as explained by lezzles. The key word is USE not whether it's leverage or lever.