Crossword Genius

A step taken quickly (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apace

'quickly' is the definition.
(I know that quickly can be written as apace)

'a step' is the wordplay.
'step' becomes 'pace' (pace is a kind of step).
'a'+'pace'='APACE'

'taken' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for apace that I've seen before include "Quick" , "flat out" , "fast" , "at high speed" , "Swiftly, quickly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror and The Irish Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app