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Expression
of
embarrassment
while
burying
head
in
whelk
shell
(2,6)
Expression of embarrassment while burying head in whelk shell (2,6)
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The definition is at the beginning of the clue.
How the clue works
The Expression of embarrassment is built around AS, meaning 'while', which does the 'burying' by wrapping itself around the inner bits. Inside go W (the 'head', or first letter, of 'whelk') and SHUCK (to 'shell', as a verb), giving A-W-SHUCK-S. A wonderfully odd surface reading about poking about in shellfish!