Crossword Genius

A way on a beam and off the proper track (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astray

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'off the proper track' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'a way on a beam' is the wordplay.
'a way' becomes 'st' (abbreviation for street).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'beam' becomes 'ray' (synonyms).
'st' after 'a' is 'ast'.
'ast'+'ray'='ASTRAY'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for astray that I've seen before include "Wandering off the track" , "Off course - wrong - misled" , "Off the right track" , "Off target" , "in the wrong place" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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