Crossword Genius

Begin with famous aristocrat (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

start off

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

'with famous aristocrat' is the wordplay.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'famous' becomes 'star' (as in an all-star cast).
'aristocrat' becomes 'toff' (toff can mean an upper-class person).
'star'+'toff' is 'START-OFF'.

(Other definitions for start off that I've seen before include "get to work" , "Begin" , "Initiate" , "Make first move" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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