Crossword Genius

Advanced and raced to embrace darling coming back (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stepped

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

'advanced' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'raced to embrace darling coming back' is the wordplay.
'raced' becomes 'sped' ('speed' can be a synonym of 'race').
'to embrace' indicates putting letters inside.
'darling' becomes 'pet' (synonyms).
'coming back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'pet' reversed gives 'tep'.
'sped' going around 'tep' is 'STEPPED'.

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stepped that I've seen before include "Walked" , "Trodden" , "Arranged in ascending levels" , "Laid out in tiers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.