Crossword Genius

Approaches caves and bats (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

advances

'approaches' is the definition.
('advance' can be a synonym of 'approach')

'caves and bats' is the wordplay.
'bats' indicates anagramming the letters (slang for mad).
'caves'+'and'='cavesand'
'cavesand' with letters rearranged gives 'ADVANCES'.

(Other definitions for advances that I've seen before include "Amounts paid before they're earned" , "Progresses" , "Improvements; moves forwards" , "Forward movements" , "Moves forwards in a purposeful way" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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