Crossword Genius

Active type at hotel permitted opening of escalator (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

athlete

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

'active type' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'at hotel permitted opening of escalator' is the wordplay.
'hotel' becomes 'h' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'permitted' becomes 'let' (I've seen this before).
'opening of' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'escalator' is 'e'.
'at'+'h'+'let'+'e'='ATHLETE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for athlete that I've seen before include "front-runner, possibly" , "Track and field competitor" , "Track or field sportsperson" , "Player" , "The tale (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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