Arrest enemy soldier in battle, the German will run away (4,1,6)

I believe the answer is:

take a powder

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'arrest' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I don't see how one could define the other.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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