Crossword Genius

Approaches swan struggling in bleak surroundings (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

draws near

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

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

'swan struggling in bleak surroundings' is the wordplay.
'struggling' indicates anagramming the letters.
'in bleak' becomes 'drear' (I've seen this before. I am not sure about the 'in' bit.).
'surroundings' is an insertion indicator.
'swan' anagrammed gives 'awsn'.
'awsn' put into 'drear' is 'DRAWS NEAR'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for draws near that I've seen before include "Approaches" , "comes to" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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