Crossword Genius

At home, about to open a Bud to get lively (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

animate

'get lively' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'at home about to open a bud' is the wordplay.
'at home' becomes 'in' ('I'm in' can mean 'I'm at home').
'about' says the letters should be written backwards.
'to open' indicates putting letters inside (some letters create an opening in a word).
'bud' becomes 'mate' (I've seen this in another clue).
'in' backwards is 'ni'.
'a'+'mate'='amate'
'ni' inserted within 'amate' is 'ANIMATE'.

'to' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for animate that I've seen before include "Invigorate; alive" , "Give new life or energy to" , "Inject life into, as with cartoon" , "Give life or movement to, as with a cartoon" , "Put life into as with cartoon" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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