Before a possible setback (3)

I believe the answer is:

ere

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'before' is the definition.
(usually literary)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for ere that I've seen before include "Before (literary)" , "Old word for before" , "One who steals" , "Archaic word for before - a palindrome" , "Before (in time)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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